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Probably the biggest reason we chose to visit St. Lucia was for it’s VARIETY. We knew we wanted to relax and kick back, but we also wanted a little adventure. Between snorkeling, hiking, boating, (attempting but miserably failing at) paddle boarding, and indulging in a (very muddy) mud bath, I think we got our fair share. The rest of our time was spent, in what i like to call, a state of aggressive relaxation.

At the end of our trip, we thought we’d indulge in some treatments at the Sugar Beach Rainforest Spa. This is the place of dreams, my friends. It’s where your stresses and worries come to die. Each treatment room is perched within the trees, and you’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there. 

Following our treatments, we followed a trail that I secretly hoped would have no end. Through the trees we swayed (well, Shawn snapped and I swayed), crossing over bridges that led to trees taller than the eye can see. 

I felt almost camouflaged among the weeping branches in one of my favorite tanks of all time from Free People. Airy enough to run through the forest, and roomy enough for the big lunch we had after. ;) I tried it on a whim in the new Free People location in Georgetown and fell in love right then and there. The rest is history.

Wearing Free People tank top, bralette and necklace c/o, Rag and Bone shorts, Free People espadrilles via South Moon Under, Rachelle Celine rings and gold bracelet.

Boucan at Hotel Chocolat

When I visit another country, I always like to experience the local flavors. When in Italy, pasta and wine reign…in Greece, I ate feta cheese and a warm baguette just about as much as I drank water. In St. Lucia, chocolate is king.

I was so surprised to learn that St. Lucia is a huge exporter of cacao beans, which are made into chocolate. Guess where they export the majority of it? HERSHEY PARK! While I was surprised to learn that they don’t keep a ton of cocoa locally, we did find an amazing restaurant where chocolate still reigned.

Enter Boucan at Hotel Chocolat. This is basically every person’s dream. The boutique restaurant (with killer views of the piton mountains) infuses chocolate into everything they make. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. At first, honestly, I was weirded out…like I love chocolate but NOT THAT MUCH. But, I was pleased to experience, whether Boucan uses cocoa as a delicate spice or infused into the meal in a bolder way, it was always outrageously delicious. And get this - cocoa was used as a SAVORY ingredient for 3,000 years and a sweet one for only 500 years! WHAT?! Mind blown, I know.

This was by far one of my favorite food experiences ever. Between the impeccably paired wines and the chocolate shots they made us upon request (which we insisted they refer to as the G-shot given our last names), the whole evening may have been my favorite of the trip. 

For the special evening, I wore this sold-out Kate Moss X Toyshop collaboration piece I had been lusting over ever since it was released. I couldn’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on a dress with sequins, but as fate would have it, the dress appeared on my instagram feed with a “for sale” sign attached from a fellow instagrammer. I couldn’t type in my paypal email fast enough. 

I also wore the ultimate bohemian accessory, my Samantha Wills ring and my favorite clutch of all time by Jeffrey Levinson. I've also been wearing this Kendra Scott necklace on repeat - it goes with literally everything. 

Can't wait to show you guys the last few posts from St. Lucia! Stay tuned ;)

Wearing Kate Moss for Topshop dress (old), Jeffrey Levinson clutch, Samantha Wills ring, Kendra Scott necklace c/o, J.Crew mules, Claire Ashley X Makeup Meltdown lipstick in "Siren"

Rachelle Celine

They say only time will tell. 

To me, this has rung true for just about everything. Will my favorite clothes today be my favorite clothes tomorrow? Will the same sweater I bought last year still be in style this Fall? Will this necklace I just bought last through the year without tarnishing?

Only time will tell.

I'm excited to share about a jewelry company that has withstood the test of time for me...pieces I always find myself reaching for...earrings that don't turn my ears green...midi rings I wear with literally everything...and necklaces made perfect for layering.

Her name is Rachelle Celine and her jewelry line is just as lovely as her name. She's a local jewelry designer in the DC area who truly understands understated beauty. Capitol File, Refinery 27 and Northern Virginia Magazine have all featured her pieces. Take a look at her pieces and you'll see why. 

She just launched her website a few weeks ago, so today I want to raise a glass to her. For sharing her beautiful craft with the world so we could all have handmade jewelry at a totally affordable price. Cheers to you, Rachelle!

Wearing Cocosand Swimwear swimsuit, Alexis skirt and Rachelle Celine jewelry c/o.

 Note: this post was not sponsored. I just totally dig Rachelle's pieces and had to tell you guys all about her. ;)

The Mango Tree

Happy Friday!! Ending the week on a little wanderlust from our trip to St. Lucia. Because we wanted both the exotic mountain and luxury beach experience, we stayed in two different hotels on our trip! We spent the first few days at the rustic Stonefield Resort and the last few  days at the luxurious Sugar Beach resort.

The thing I didn't realize about St. Lucia is that you honestly and truly have to take a taxi everywhere you go. Forget walking around town to find a great place. You better have somewhere in mind ahead of time and be prepared for a fairly expensive taxi.

Luckily, there was a great restaurant on-site at Stonefield called The Mango Tree. The food was much pricier than I'm used to, but we found that's pretty common for the area. Oh well, YOLO. 

I wanted to wear something super special for our last night at Stonefield, so I wore my custom Zophia blouse (named the Julien Top!) My good friend Betsy designed the shirt and I knew St. Lucia would be the perfect occasion to rock it. I love that this piece was totally tailored to me, giving it the perfect fit. Oh, and did I mention it's on sale right now?! 

I paired this with a pretty Elizabeth and James skirt that I initially tried on the top with. It was my first fitting and we met at Intermix so Betsy could show me how versatile the top was. I tried it with this skirt and WOW it fit like a dream...but the price tag left me feeling very, very sad. $265 was a bit much for a summer skirt, so I sadly said goodbye and vowed to snag it as soon as it went on sale. WHICH IT DID 3 months later!! Yes, it's a summer skirt, but you know full well I am going to try to do everything in my power to make this work for fall. Challenge accepted.

I also brought along this gorgeous clutch from Jeffrey Levinson. I've never felt leather so soft in my life. It's an investment piece for sure, but in the few weeks I've had it, it's garnished more compliments than any other bag I own. Not to mention Olivia Palermo has one of his bags and so does Diane Guerrero (from OITNB!) 

I finished off the look with some jewelry from my favorite local jewelry gals...the cutest Rachelle Celine midi rings and rose gold necklace from my babe Sophie Blake. Stay tuned for more St. Lucia goodness next week!

Wearing Elizabeth and James skirt, “The Julien Top” via Zophia (on sale!), Jeffrey Levinson clutch, J.Crew mules, Sophie Blake necklace in rose gold and Rachelle Celine midi rings.

The Best Black Jeans Out There

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Do you guys have an item of clothing you can’t stop wearing? Like you wear it so much that people basically think it’s all you own? You wear it so much that you are hesitant to put it in the wash because then you wouldn’t be able to wear it for an hour? That’s how I feel about these Citizens of Humanity jeans from South Moon Under. Like I have separation anxiety when I leave these behind (skinny jeans don’t exactly fly in corporate America…) Because when I fall for something, I fall HARD. 

These have been my go-to’s for the last, oh, 8 days since they’ve landed on my doorstep. I wear them with heels, I wear them with flats, I wear them with scarves, I wear them with hats (didn’t know I was a poet, did ya?) They’re so comfortable too - like honestly, they feel like sweat pant leggings but look like a million bucks. I’d say that’s a major major win.

It gets better. From now until October 25, South Moon Under is having their annual Denim Event, which means 20% ALL of their full price denim. So umm, you best get your little booty over there and into their jeans asap. Ok, wait. Maybe those weren’t the BEST choice of words, but ya get my drift. 

They carry my favorite brands like Citizens of Humanity, Free People, BlankNYC, 7 For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, J Brand and more. You can find the South Moon Under closest to you here!

Not only are jeans 20% off but they’re also collecting old jeans to donate to Cotton Incorporated’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program! Basically your old denim will be converted into insulation and a portion will go towards communities in need, which is such a cool and creative way to give back!  

Also! I’ve been feeling extra sassy since getting my hair chopped and colored (ahem, hand painted) by the incredible Nadine Matar at PR at Partners on K Street. So I dressed up the black jeans/white tee look with these sweet fringe booties (these are sold out, but these are almost identical.) 

If you hit up the South Moon Under Denim event, be sure to come back here and tell me what you get!! Or if you need help deciding on a pair, tweet me your options to @juliengarman! 

Wearing Citizens of Humanity jeans via South Moon Under c/o, Halogen tee from Nordstrom, Gap bandana, AMI Clubwear booties c/o (similar), Clare V clutch, Goodnight Macaroon jacket and Claire Ashley X Makeup Meltdown lipstick in Anguilla c/o, and Essie nail polish in Bahama Mama.