We’ve come to my favorite Denada piece. Guys, I don’t like to play favorites but this one has to take the cake for me. The way it’s made is so thoughtful and the drape is incredibly flattering (THIS ONE is also outrageously gorgeous!) There is nothing more that I want than to wear this shawl every single day.

This shawl was handmade by artisans in Peru and designed by my girl, Virginia of Denada. I’m wearing this the long way, but you can actually wear it another way, a shorter shawl with an oversized collar. It’s so versatile. I would wear this in summer over a slinky dress to keep warm out at a nice restaurant (seen here!) or in fall over jeans and a tee (coming soon!)

So who’s the girl in these photos? She’s taking a staycation in DC at the Hotel Monaco (not to get off topic but have you seen their bathrooms?!) After lounging around in the oversized shawl all day, reading in her swank room and ordering room service, she's decided she wants to dress up a bit for dinner. She throws on a lightweight silk dress, and grabs the shawl at the last minute in case she gets cold in the restaurant (hint: she will.)

The shawl comes in a variety of colors and is actually on sale from $115 to $80! Denada is gearing up for their FW 15 line, so grab this piece while you still can! Head over to their website, browse through the photos, and you might even see a familiar face! ;)

On Julien: OVS Collared Shawl via Denada c/o. Dress, J.Crew, old (similar cotton J.Crew dress for $15 and fancy-pants version in army green.) Pumps, Nine West. Cuff, Hanuel. Earrings, Hanuel.

This past year, I’ve really been focusing on what makes me happy. What styles bring me joy, what activities fulfill me, what people make my day? Through this journey, I’m honestly surprised how much I’ve learned. I discovered that I hate roller coasters, I abhor culottes, and I do not enjoy late nights out. One thing I’ve rediscovered my love for? Reading.

There’s something about reading an incredible book that gives me life. I was a huge nerd in elementary school and participated in every reading program offered. And when my school partnered with Pizza Hut for the most read books? You best know I conquered that ish.

And now that I take the bus into work each day, I use my kindle daily, there’s nothing like flipping through pages of your favorite book or magazine. Lately, I have been super drawn to thriller novels (The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, Luckiest Girl Alive, anyone??) There’s nothing better than picking up a good book and gettin’ down with my bad ol’ mysterious self.

So who is this girl in the photos? She’s the part of me that swings by the library a few blocks down from work during her lunch break to browse her favorite books. The kindle is great to immediacy, but you can’t ponder through the shelves like you can in real life. It’s a bit chilly in the library, so she wears her favorite fingerless armwarmers from Denada. Now she can keep cozy while still being able to snapchat her trip. I’d call that a win-win.