Oh What to Wear

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I love when people ask me why I started my blog. I get to tell them all about how much I loved fashion, the community that surrounds it, and how I yearned for a creative outlet when I moved from the magazine industry to commercial real estate. But I don’t often mention one of the more unconventional and somewhat embarrassing reasons I decided to start It’s Julien - because I struggled getting dressed each morning.

I can’t tell you how many times I legit sat on my closet floor with big alligator tears, whining about how I didn’t like anything in my closet. Or the months I’d spend in the same old outfit for work - a black blazer, black dress pants and a variety of button-up shirts. I felt uninspired - which is not the way someone in the creative field should feel.

So while it wasn’t the main reason I decided to embark on this blogging journey, I really wanted to use the blog to help me define my style, discover what I really liked and curate my closet to be things I truly loved wearing. And it’s worked!

Some bloggers have always been totally fashionable and felt a need to share their outfits for inspiration, but I wanted a venue where I could share the DAILY STRUGGLE of getting dressed with you! I felt that if I were intentional about really scouring my closest to find interesting outfits, then maybe it’d inspire other people to break their way free from their style ruts too.

Today’s outfit came at a time when I really had to stretch myself, style-wise. I was invited to the grand opening of the Kendra Scott in Bethesda after work one day. I knew I wouldn’t have time to change between work and the event, so I wore something that would be appropriate for the office, but that I could adjust ever-so-slightly to be perfect for after work too. I simply tied the button-up blouse (one you’ve seen me wear many times before) and undid a few buttons to create a more interesting silhouette, and I was quite pleased with the results.

Anyway, the moral of this story is - if you ever feel like you’re in a style rut, you’re not alone! Even fashion bloggers feel the struggle sometimes. And I hope you’ll see this blog as a place you can return to for constant inspiration! Until the next style adventure…

Wearing Achro top via Anthom, Tees by Tina tank (it’s SO soft!), Express skirt, Mimi’s the Look bag c/o, M.Gemi pumps (similar), Kendra Scott earrings c/o and Gorjana necklace and Phyllis + Rosie bracelet. 

Skinny Scarf

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Each season, I try to find a new accessory to embrace. This past summer, it was the square scarf. I got a floral one, a couple bandanas, and a pretty silk vintage one that I’ve carried straight into Fall.

This season though - it’s all about the skinny scarf. Since I’ve been on such a french girl kick lately, it fit the bill perfectly. I’ve only had it a couple weeks and yet I’ve worn it a dozen times - with a casual tee, to work with a silk blouse, with a chunky sweater, and with this cool skirt from Few Moda. And at $15, it’s a no brainer in my book. 

Wearing Few Moda skirt c/o, Achro blazer (on sale!!), Express skinny scarf, Via Spiga boots and Laura Geller lipgloss in Raspberry Roast. Photos by Meaghan

Little Black Dress NO. 758

When I was about 11 years old, my dad taught me a very valuable lesson I have never forgotten. We were in a thrift shop and I found the prettiest black dress (that I still own.) I stood there looking into the mirror and told him, ‘I love it, but I already have a black dress…’ To which my dad smiled and responded, “But you can never have too many little black dresses!”

Now whenever I think about buying YET ANOTHER LBD, my dads voice always speaks louder than the little voices saying, ‘but what about the mortgage!’ Ha, kidding. Mostly.

To be totally honest, a little over half of my clothes are black. Half of those being LBDs. I have a going out LBD, a tweed LBD, the LBD I wore to my 8th grade graduation, a silk polo LBD, a turtleneck LBD I wear once a week in the winter, a midi-length LBD, a LBD with long armpits that makes me feel all the norm core vibes, a LBD I borrowed from my sister years ago…the list goes on.

This LBD is no exception. It’s such a cute dress for fall - the high neckline gives it all the autumn appropriateness but cool enough for running out to lunch. It’s super soft too, which is always a bonus in my book. (My husband teases me ALL THE TIME for making comfort and softness be mandatory of all my clothing.)

This little number came from South Moon Under’s exclusive collection and is the perfect blank slate for a million and one outfits. Pleather leggings + this dress + boots. Skinny jeans + this dress + white sneaks. Tights + this dress + pumps + blazer. This dress + long cardigan + flat boots…the possibilities you guys. They’re endless.

And don't forget! South Moon Under's Denim Event ends on Sunday, so get over to one of their locations this weekend for 20% off all their full priced denim! I found the most perfect pair of black jeans there that I have literally not stopped wearing since.

Wearing South Moon Under dress c/o, J.Crew denim jacket, H&M booties (under $30!), Hanuel bracelet, Take 5 Boutique necklace and H&M bag (old, but love this one!)

Free People Lace Dress in St. Lucia

On our last night in St. Lucia, I saved the very best dress for last. We had grand plans of eating out, but ended up at a sweet little sushi place on the resort. Eh, when the fish is fresh, right? Just kidding. I'm vegetarian. 

I'm going to keep it short and sweet today - just like this dress. The romantic lace and babydoll silhouette are seriously everything I could ever want in a dress. To me, Free People can do no wrong. My only regret is that I only got to wear it once! But don't shed a tear, my friends. This girl has wild Fall plans to make this work into her fall wardrobe. Just you wait and see. ;)

On Julien: Jen's Pirate Booty dress via Free People c/o. J.Crew Mules. Samantha Wills ring (love this color!) Rachelle Celine midi rings c/o. Free People necklace c/o. Jeffrey Levinson clutch.

St. Lucia Swimsuit Roundup

It’s been about seven months now. It was a rough start but I’ve made it through. Back in April, I started on a clean eating program. To be honest, I didn’t even know what that meant when I was starting…I just knew something had to give.

So I jumped aboard the 28 Day Challenge from The Fit Girls Guide on a whim when a coworker suggested we do it together. The PDF with the program recipes and workouts was only $25 so I thought, what the heck, I’ll give it a try.

And seven months later, and 20 pounds lighter, I’m seriously the happiest I’ve ever been. To be honest, I lost most of the weight within the first two months of the program and now I’m maintaining…and trying my hardest not to eat every cookie I see. ;)

It’s amazing to me - the amount of support and love from friends, from family and from you, my readers, through this whole ordeal. Each sweet text and each encouraging conversation has pushed me to become my best self…from someone who grew out her hair to hide her insecurities to someone who is confident, energetic and might I add, ballsy.

People love to ask, ‘What are you doing?! How many miles are you running each day?” And I laugh. YOU GUYS!! It’s all about what we’re eating. Seriously. I eat oatmeal or eggs for breakfast, opt almost exclusively for whole grains, limit my salt intake, drink all the water, and eat a YOU KNOW WHAT ton of cooked or roasted veggies. I have taco, pizza made on top of a whole wheat pita and pumpkin lasagna on the reg…and it’s actually super tasty. 

ANYWAY in honor and celebration of 6 months of healthy eating, I wanted to share a little roundup of my favorite swimsuits from our trip to St. Lucia! Tune in Wednesday, when I'll be sharing my last (and favorite!) look of the whole trip! XO!

Suite 1: Cocosand Swimwear
Suit 2: Mars Vida
Suit 3: Triangl Swimwear
Suit 4: Trina Turk (cover up version)