Well, friends, I have some exciting news…
I’ve been voted Best Fashion Blogger in NOVA by Northern Virginia Magazine in their Best Of issue this summer! It feels SO surreal and I’m so so so thankful for each person who’s guided me along the way and supported this crazy blogging dream of mine. Hard work really does pay off!
Here’s to working hard, supporting each other and never, ever giving up!
Photos by Jen Eun
Ever since I cleaned out my closet last month and sold half of my clothes to ThredUp (a chic consignment website that I'm mildly obsessed with - use this link for $10 off your first order!), I’ve been aching to fill it back up. Here’s the thing, I’m into beauty and art. In all forms. Whether it’s finding the perfect shade of lipstick, nailing the milkmaid braid or discovering a local artist whose paintings brighten my day or photographing another blogger during the golden hour…art is everything to me.
And because I’m so driven by beauty and art, I let my emotions do the shopping. I want to FEEL good in an outfit and I want to experience joy when I wear it. That’s why I’m not into super tight skinny jeans. And that’s why I don’t wear 5 inch heels.
Where I’m going with this post, even I don’t know…but I do know that I experienced that same butterfly-in-my-stomach joy when I spotted this skirt. It’s by the brand, Alexis, which carries ultra-feminine pieces like embroidered crop tops (I know the Bible says ‘thou shalt not covet’ but I am coveting big time over this top big time!) delicate, lace skirts and ruffled white dresses. It’s bohemian heaven. ::Insert all the heart emojis::
So yes, sometimes (*cough* always *cough*) I shop purely based on emotion. Can I wear it to work? No. Can I wear it to the park? No. But will I look like a rockstar when I finally get the chance to wear it? I’d like to think so. ;)
On Julien: Skirt, Alexis (similar.) Top, vintage. Mules, J.Crew (on sale!) Ring, Samantha Wills. Bracelet and earrings, Hanuel.
Photos by Tammy
I’ve really been into neutrals lately. I always used to say that I’d wear a pop of pink or a statement color jacket - keep the bright summer vibes going all winter long. But then, the cold weather comes and all I want to wear are neutrals. Greys, blacks, ivory, whites, browns. I just feel like it’s so sophisticated you know? Classic lines, less is more, all that jazz.
I love each piece of this outfit so much that I’m going to just briefly tell you about each.
These white pants from Intermix? Wore them to meet Christian Siriano at the Rent the Runway grand opening in Georgetown. Oh, and the price? Down from $250 to JUST $48.30. I’m not lying. Go see for yourself.
This Dora Landa top is going to be my go-to for anything where I need to look good. The leather details are so so great and it’s incredibly flattering. Silk tops are my new favorite thing.
This trench. Where to even start with this?! Definitely one of my favorite wardrobe staples of all time. It was made in Spain and I snagged it at Estiletta a few weeks ago. It’s on repeat, obviously.
Also big shout out to Tammy for meeting me really early (thus messy hair and grouchy expression haha) to take photos on the coldest day of the year. It’s so cold, I’m wearing leggings under these trousers. No lie. Tammy, I love you.
On Julien: Top, Dora Landa c/o (white version.) Pants, Intermix (on major sale.) Trench coat, Ifeelnut via Estiletta. Shoes, J.Crew Factory. Earrings, Hanuel c/o. Cuff, Love Juliet c/o. Shades, Michael Kors.
This season’s trends have hit me hard. Some years, I can pass on the majority of ‘fads’ (no thanks, sneaker heels…and let’s have a hard pass on the normcore trend) but I am loving everything fall has to offer this year. Lately, Free People has been my fix. Their warm weather layers of fuzzy sweaters and plaid glory have got me hooked.
I popped into the Free People location in Bethesda (if you haven’t been, please do yourself a favor and GET THERE - their styling team is so good it’s ridiculous) looking for something fun (and warm) for fall. I walked out with this to-die-for poncho that I haven’t stopped wearing since. It’s primarily black, so it basically goes with everything I own, but also has the prettiest mix of grey, oxblood and tan to blend all my favorite neutrals for this season. And while it’s perfect for fall, I can throw on a turtle neck underneath when the weather gets colder to keep the poncho happy feels going all winter long. Oh and this poncho? It’s only $48!
I wore this while visiting one of my favorite wineries in the area, Stone Tower Winery. It has such a gorgeous setting and the wine is TO. DIE. FOR. It was a bit windy, which isn’t entirely ideal for photos, but it gives you an opportunity to see this adorable bralette that has also been on repeat in my wardrobe. It’s so much prettier than my go-to tee-shirt bras (AMIRIGHT ladies?!)
Muchos gracias to the babes at the Bethesda Free People for sending me home with these goodies to share with you! Their store is located at 7101 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda, MD.
Photos by Tammy
I love a good sale story. This jacket caught my eye last spring. I imagined Olivia Pope wearing it to a meeting with a client or out to dinner with Jake (or the president…I can’t keep up with her these days!) It was this beautiful, buttery yellow…perfect in every way. However, the price tag wasn’t perfect for my pocket. So I waited. And waited.
I had saved the coat in my bookmarks (because of course I did) and mid-summer, it went on sale. And that had one left in my size. Down from $200 to $69? It was basically free.
If you ever find you in this predicament, visit Rack It Up. They’ll notify you when an item you’re loving goes on sale. I mean - does it get any better than that? (Answer: No. No it does not.)
Also can we talk about this bag? It’s one of my favorite finds ever and best of all, it only looks expensive. People literally DO NOT believe me when I tell them this bag was only $60. When I found it on Mimi’s The Look, I’ll admit I was wary. It’s so hard to tell the quality of a bag from photos, but let me tell you. This bag looks and feels like a million bucks (okay, realistically like $1,400 but you get my drift.) BETTER YET! Save 20% when using this special code: ITSJULIEN
On Julien: Coat, Zara (similar in red.) Dress, LOFT (plaid version.) Purse, Mimi’s the Look c/o (20% OFF WITH CODE: ITSJULIEN) Shoes, Nine West. Necklaces, Three Jane NY c/o and Rachelle Celine c/o. Rings, Julie Vos and Love Juliet c/o. Sunnies, H&M (borrowed.)
Linking up with The Fashion Canvas
