Jill Jill Stuart Dress | Rent the Runway

As Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner, I am gearing up for some killer outfit inspiration, some extremely cozy looks, and lots and lots of gift ideas! 

But as my body has been adjusting to this change in temps, I’m a bit behind! So I’ll keep it short today with a pretty Jill Jill Stuart dress that I rented from Rent the Runway. This would be such a perfect for Thanksgiving or the upcoming holidays. I felt like such an It Girl when I wore this to Fashion Week…it was one by far, the most photographed outfit I wore too. For shows, I paired it with my go-to Banana Republic sandals but when I met up with a few girlfriends for drinks later, I immediately switched into flats. I love when a dress can be perfectly versatile. 

Rent the dress here // Buy it here
Accessories: Banana Republic sandals, Mansur Gavriel large bucket bag, Sophie Blake necklace

Leather Midi Skirt - NYFW

It's been a crazy Fall so far, but in the most wonderful way. Between NYFW, special holiday projects and just daily life at the 9-5, I'm doing my very best to just keep my head above water. The great news is - I have so many exciting posts to share with you...the problem is finding the time to get them all up on here! But don't fret - I promise they're coming. ;) 

How great is this midi skirt from Rent the Runway? I rented it for NYFW and wore it to a ton of events. (Even if it was over 90 degrees outside - the things we do for fashion!) This would be perfect for an upcoming holiday party with a chunky sweater or silky blouse too. 

I'll let you in on a little secret - this outfit has been sitting on my camera since NYFW for a while, so rather than go into the nitty gritty of why I wore the outfit, I thought I'd just share the photos with you. I mean, THE VIEW. Do I really need to say anything else?

Wearing Harvey Faircloth midi skirt via Rent the Runway, Tibi blouse (love this similar one on sale!), Banana Republic heels, The Scarf Shop silk scarf c/o, Sophie Blake earrings, H&M sunnies (avail in-store only), Chanel bag via Bag, Borrow or Steal.

Lacoste Wool Dress and SS17 Show

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This year has been, for me, the year of perfecting my everyday style. Dressy looks are fairly easy for me - throw on a pretty dress/skirt/blouse and heels, and BAM you’re done. But there’s something to be said about looking effortlessly casual. For me, it was never a look I had gotten quite right growing up. 

I cringe thinking back to the days where I’d wear my sketchers with dark flares and a tee with some silly phrase about there being more fish in the sea. But thankfully, with lots of practice, I’ve finally reached the point where I can throw on a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans, tee, leather jacket and sneakers and feel pretty great.

So when Lacoste invited me to see their show of next Spring’s collection, I could barely contain myself with excitement. Lacoste has been mastering casual cool styles for years, and I love the sporty edge that sets them apart. 

So what was on the runway? Patent leather raincoats galore, hoodies everywhere (short sleeved, long sleeved, under trenches, with trousers, you name it!), terrycloth robes (the more you look like you walked out of a shower and out the door, the better), and stripes (let’s pray these never go out of style because I’d be ruined.) It was almost like an elevated version of what we’d wear during sports season in high school. Although I was hardly dressed as well. Still, it had this nostalgic, yet fresh feel to the entire collection. (See a few of the show highlights below!)

To the show, I wore a wool dress from their most recent collection with a pair of their white, leather slides that I’ve LITERALLY been wearing non-stop. Actually, as I write this post from the airplane coming home, I’m wearing them at this very moment! To top off the 90 degree weather of that day, I couldn’t help but add a denim jacket. I was melting, but I looked good. And sometimes, feeling great about yourself makes up for the difference. ;)

Wearing Lacoste dress and leather slip-ons c/o, Chanel bag via Bag, Borrow or Steal, J.Crew denim jacket, Sophie Blake bracelet, H&M sunnies, Dior lipstick.

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10 Ways to Cure Your Fashion Week FOMO

As fashion week is coming so a close and we’re all filled with major FOMO, I wanted to share a few ways you can Fashion Week without being in New York. 

But Julien, HOW? 

Let me count the ways:

1. Watch the shows live online
I watched the Tory Burch show on my way into work on the bus and it was SUCH a cool experience. They streamed before the show so I could see people arriving (and stare in awe of Anna) then I got to see it live. Honestly, it was probably a better view than I would have gotten if I were there in person. I’ll just keep saying that to myself.

2. Follow your favorite bloggers on instagram and snapchat
This is how I’ve been getting the fastest updates on all my favorite runway shows. I follow Danielle of We Wore What, Jacey of Damsel in Dior, Aimee of Song of Style, Eva Chen (username theevachen212), and Tash and Dev for all the behind-the-scenes goodness. 

3. Make sure you have a well-stocked makeup bag
Having all my best beauty products within an arms reach at all times is a non-negotiable for busy weeks. My go-to for makeup these days has been Bluemurcury. They carry all the best beauty brands like Tom Ford, YSL, Jo Malone, Laura Mercier, Oribe (MY FAVORITE), Kiehls and new-comer Lune + Aster, which has tons of natural, good-for-you ingredients. It’s basically your one stop shop for literally everything you could ever want. Ever. And since their 16th anniversary is coming up, they're giving you one of their insanely awesome gift bags packed with their amazing products with your $150+ purchase! 

4. Eat clean like the models
Since my journey to start eating clean four months ago, I’ve been hooked. My energy levels are like never before, I’ve started to legit CRAVE veggies and I was finally able to drop those last few pounds from the freshman 15. Sakara Life, an organic meal delivery service and lifestyle brand, just launched in the DC area! Learning to eat clean is a process and this totally simplifies it for you. Top model Lilly Aldridge is a fan so you guys know this stuff works wonders. After my trip to St. Lucia (and all the pina coladas one can imagine), you better believe I put their Detox Tea straight into my cart. And I want literally everything from their Clean Boutique. Everything.

5. Wear your most fabulous outfit, ever
In honor of the last day, you KNOW I am dressed to the nines, pretending I live a fabulous life in which I can take off a week to go to all the shows of the season. My advice? Swing by Rent the Runway in Georgetown to pick out the chicest dress in the shop (see my experience here and get a little store tour here!) Then head out for drinks at a fabulous rooftop bar like the POV rooftop and feel all your FOMO melt away.

6. Get your hair blown out at Drybar
Guys, I love this place. It’s such a fun luxurous way to look instantly fab for a great price. $40? That’s like the cost of rooftop drinks. Not that you should skip those. But if I had to choose, I’d choose the great hair because I’ll feel like a princess (and not a hungover hot mess) in the morning. (Alternative pampering idea: I’ve been DYING to visit Varnish Lane, this sweet luxury nail salon - they use locally made, natural products and I’ve heard rave reviews!) 

7. Take an über to lunch
EVERYONE takes ubers during fashion week because cabs can be such a pain in the you-know-what to catch. Because I take public transportation to work, if I want to meet someone in Georgetown for a bite, I hop in an uber to make the most of my lunch break. It’s my preferred way to get around the city - even if I have my car, I hate trying to navigate the insanely confusing traffic patterns and the worst thing of all - parking. Get a free ride by using this link or if you’re a new user to the app, use code: 0u4nq

8. Take Street Style Photos
After your trip to the Drybar and/or Rent the Runway, document your insanely fabulous look to remember for all time. Highly recommended tip: these can totes be taken on your phone and immediately uploaded to instagram. Once you edit with VSCO, of course.

9. Stay stylishly hydrated
If it’s good enough for Mara Hoffman, it’s good enough for me. She had these Sakara Life beauty waters custom made for her guests. They have tons of beauty minerals and rose water to keep you fresh from the inside out.

10. Be so busy you don’t get any sleep
KIDDING, guys. Do not do this. Get all the sleep. That’s what makes staying home and watching the shows from your PJs 100% worth it. 

See ya, FOMO. Wouldn’t wanna be ya.