Rocksbox

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. 

And while this sounds lovely, it sure is hard to come by diamonds in your mid-twenties. Have I seen some I’ve loved and thought I needed? YES. This ring from David Yurman has been on my wish list for the past three years. And while real diamonds are a bit out of reach at this stage in my life, I sure do love my some like-diamonds. But even diamond-look-alikes can cost a lot of money. This necklace from Loren Hope? $160. Am I obsessed with it? YES. Is it realistic with my budget to go around buying a bunch of necklaces from her collection? Unfortunately no.

Enter Rocksbox…a jewelry rental service that sends me unlimited jewelry each month to try on for size. If I find a piece and can’t part with it, I can buy it at a discounted price. And if I decide I may be able to live without it, I send it back in exchange for a new set of jewels. How fun is that?!

Here’s the low down - each time Rocksbox sends you a box, it has three pieces in it. You curate your favorite pieces from their website so the stylists can figure out what pieces you’ll love. Last month, they sent me a set with the Trina Turk bracelet seen here and I had to have it. So I bought it! They have tons of my fave brands on their site like Gorjana, Loren Hope, House of Harlow, Kendra Scott and so many more. 

I’m crazy about this service. I love being able to jazz up my jewelry collection without having to spend an arm and a leg on high-end boutique jewelry. Yesterday, I actually told two people about the service on a whim. One was a coworker who complimented another Loren Hope necklace I received, and another was my Uber driver, who asked me about my thoughts on subscription services on the way to an event at J.Crew. When I love something, I talk about it. 

Rocksbox sent me some jewelry to try for free, and they want to send you some to try FOR FREE too! Head to Rocksbox.com and use promo code: JULIENXOXO for your free month. If you love it, the next month is $19…and if not, you can cancel after your free month. Pretty sweet deal, right? 

Photo by Meaghan

7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Your Mom This Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, we’re all reminded about the one person in our lives who has been there for us more than anyone else. Mine consistently worked overtime and summer schools so I could get braces, get a good education and have every opportunity available to me. Moms carried us around in their tummies for nine months, cleaned up all our poopy diapers, dealt with our teenage years of door slams and breakup ugly cries. They were there through it all.

This year, I’m especially grateful for my mom. Just over a year ago, we found out that she had breast cancer. It was in the early stages, which we were grateful for, but she still needed chemo and radiation. We prayed and prepared for the long road ahead…and to be honest, something happened that I didn’t expect. With each treatment, although her body became weaker, her faith and attitude became stronger. We packed picnics for the treatment rooms, toasted with Martinelli’s at the final chemo, and tried our best to make the most out of a terrible situation. And just last week, we learned that she’s now cancer free. So  eternally grateful is kind of an understatement.

Let’s toast to our moms this weekend - it’s the least we can do after what we put them through ;) Here are a few fun ways to celebrate mom!

1. Pretty blooms and something sparkly
The age old question of whether to get mom flowers or sparkly has come to an end. Thanks to a fun collaboration between two local companies, Stylecable + Bloompop, you can send both! The earrings we’re wearing here are part of the special too! My mom is obsessed. And this special is actually extending beyond Mother’s Day for all the graduations coming up! 

2. Learn something fun together
I am ALL ABOUT experiential gifts. One that I’m dying to take? Knead & Know’s class on making croissants. It’s a little drive for all you city dwellers but the instructor, Melissa, will make it worth your while! I learned to make ciabatta bread from her and my life is forever changed.

3. Help mom plant flowers or work on the garden
My mom always had flowers out front growing up, and now that I have a home of my own, I’m all about gardening and landscaping (WHO HAVE I BECOME?!) Take your mom out to a local nursery and have her pick out a few favorites and help her plant them! 

4. Plan a picnic
For the budget conscious daughter (or son! Hi 10% of my readers!), plan a yummy picnic at the park with mom. My favorite picnic items include grapes, cheese, meats (if that’s your thing), crackers, french bread, fresh veggies and hummus. Get all fancy and bring a cute picnic blanket. 

5. Two words: SPA DAY
Grab mom and head out for a fun morning at the spa! This year, I’m taking my mom to get mani’s and pedi’s as her gift at our favorite little spot. Bonding time + spa time = happy times.

6. Take mom out to the park
Is mom a sports fan? Pick up a Nats hat or jersey and head to the stadium! We play the Braves at 1:35 (get tix here!) Also go to Shake Shack after. JUST DO IT. No regrets.

7. Show tickets
One of my all-time favorite concert/show venues is Wolf Trap. Snag lawn tickets for sprawling and snacking or grab orchestra seats for incredible acoustics. Highlight performances include Ingrid Michelson (June 3), Frank Sinatra, Jr (July 9) and Abba, the Conert (August 16)

On Julien: Earrings, Stylecable c/o (send them to your mom with flowers here!) Top, Banana Republic (old.) Jeans, Lucky Brand. Shoes, Schutz (similar.) Necklace, Loren Hope via Rocksbox (get your first month free using code: JULIENXOXO)

Loren Hope Trunk Show at Urban Chic

It’s no secret that I’m in love with Loren Hope’s jewels (see here, here and here.) They’re made in the USA, handcrafted with semi-precious stones and they go with literally everything. I want everything. 

Needless to say, I’m pretty stoked about the Loren Hope trunk show at Urban Chic in Georgetown. The selection is really fantastic and all pieces are 15% off (20% off when you buy more than one!)

I snapped some photos just so you can see just how badly you need to be there. You’re welcome.

Urban Chic is located at 1626 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. The trunk show will last until Sunday, June 8. Their hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM  and Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM.

Transitioning into Spring

Let's be real, the beginning of spring can be such a weird time. While I love this year's spring trends, the temperatures are in constant state of change, usually leaving me freezing after work. Solution: The perfect transition pieces. Case and point - this beautiful scarf from JEM Collection. 

I bought the scarf at Crystal Couture back in February and have been IN LOVE with it ever since.  I met Jennifer, the brilliant mind who started JEM at the event and absolutely fell in love with her and her designs. I love supporting local artists and entrepreneurs, especially other young women, so she's a win-win in my book.

Check out how I styled this transition piece below - what other transition pieces are you craving this Spring?

On Julien: JEM Collection scarf. Earrings, Loren Hope. Skirt: Banana Republic. Silk top, Elementz (similar here.) Shoes, Kate Spade (similar here.) Clutch, K.Slademade. Belt, JCREW (similar here.) Bangles, JCREW (similar here.) Sunnies, Michael Kors  similar here.) All photos taken by the fabulous Amanda of 2 Girls in 2 Cities!

Sunshine and Chevron

A few weeks ago, the hubby and I flew down to Florida for our annual trip to visit my grandfather on Marco Island. I don't know about you, but I am a WHOLE new person at the beach. Smiling, eating tons of fresh fruit, jumping in the pool for water aerobics with the local residents...maybe it's the piña coladas or maybe it's the sun...whatever it is, I can never get enough of it!

We ventured into Naples for an afternoon of shopping and ice cream eating (Kilwins is the BEST if you're ever down in Naples!) Of course we had to take a few photos so you could see the super adorable dress I got from Passport Clothing at Crystal Couture! Here's to spring coming soon so I can wear this lovely number again, yes?!

On Julien: Dress, Passport Clothing. Earrings, Loren Hope. Bracelet, Tiffany & Co (similar here.) Purse, Longchamp. Sandals, Handmade in Positano, Italy. Belt, JCREW Outlet (similar here.) Nails via W Salon.