Fresh Blowout for Fall

Guys, I love summer so so much, but I'll admit, the sun has done a NUMBER on my hair this year. When we went camping, I was in the sun ALL day, so when we got back, I was anxious to do some major hair repair.

Soon after we returned, I visited the Hair Cuttery in Mosaic and had my best experience there yet. Upon seeing my locks, my hairstylist recommended the Cibu Shine Blowout, which includes a shampoo, Redken Chemistry Treatment and blowdry.

Hands down - the best $28 I've ever spent. My hair felt SO soft and refreshed. I loved the Cibu Shine Oil that Hair Cuttery sent over for me prior to the appointment, so I brought it with me to my appointment. My hair is usually full of dry shampoo, so it was extremely nice for a change to have silky smooth locks.

Not to play favorites, but this has been my favorite service that Hair Cuttery offers. It's so important that we condition our hair often, especially once the temps cool down. Because, friends, that's when the frizzes start. 

After my blowout, I was feeling QUITE good, so I popped into a few of my favorite Mosaic shops to do a little #NYFW damage. I picked up this gorgeous lace cardigan from Take 5 Boutique, which it absolutely perfect for layering when it's still warm outside. 

I'd love to hear all about how you keep your hair healthy once the seasons change. Have you tried any of the new Cibu products yet? If so, which ones are your favorite? Share with me!

And don't forget - Mosaic Fashion Week starts today! Hope to see you there!

Wearing Lucky Brand jeans, Velvet by Graham and Spencer top from Refine Boutique, Take 5 Boutique cardigan, FOSSIL Q WANDER TOUCHSCREEN LIGHT BROWN LEATHER SMARTWATCH c/o, Cuero + Mor handbag, Urban Outfitters belt and sunglasses.

This post was done in partnership with Hair Cuttery, but all opinions are my own. Find the one nearest you here and be sure to share your Hair Cuttery style on social media using #MyHCLook!

Diner en Blanc x Rent the Runway

• SHOP & RENT THE POST •

Wearing Alexis dress, Kate Spade bracelet, and Slate & Willow earrings via Rent the Runway, Lucky Brand heels (similar on major sale), Jeffrey Levinson clutch

Summer has semi-officially come to an end, but before it did, we got to celebrate it with a night in all-white for Diner en Blanc.

If you haven’t heard of Diner en Blanc, it started with one man in Paris who wanted to have a dinner party, but his apartment was too small. So he told his friends to meet in a park later that night and to wear all white, so they could all find each other easily. 

Thus started the tradition of Diner en Blanc, the world’s largest secret dinner party. It started in Paris, but continues all across the world. Everyone has continued the strict all-white outfit requirement and invitations are scarcely released…but if you signed up, and get that lucky invite, don’t hesitate! It’s worth all the crazy requirements, trust me.

This is DC’s third year celebrating the event. I attended last year with my friend Bree and this year, and this year, with my very first blogging friend, Alicia! 

My first stop after booking our tickets was Rent the Runway. First, I visited online to I could browse a few styles, then I made an appointment in-store to try on a few! If we're besties on instagram, you may have seen a few of the top contenders - but this Alexis beauty one won by a landslide!

I mentioned this last year, but I can’t express enough how great their “Try-on Appointment” is. Honestly, worth every penny. I had Sam from the Georgetown location help me out, and she was THE BEST. Not only does she have impeccable style herself, but she was honest about which dresses looked best on me, and reminded me of things I would have never considered…like the movability, breathability and ideas on the perfect accessories. 

So when the day came for the event, I was ready. We gathered our picnics, and headed to our pre-determined meeting location…still unknowing of where we’d be dining that evening. But once our group arrived, we all started the 10-block walk to our surprise destination. Once we arrived, we all set up our picnics with some of the nation’s most incredible views of the Lincoln Memorial!

We mingled with new friends, enjoyed our meals, snapped a thousand (or so) photos, walked around the Lincoln Memorial barefoot after dark (HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS, FRIENDS) and danced the night away…the perfect way to end a very successful summer.

I’ll leave you with a few important tips about Diner en Blanc:

1. Wear a comfortable, danceable dress.
This Alexis beauty was not only flattering, but also super comfortable. It was stretchy and long enough that I didn’t have to worry about it moving around in unwelcome ways if you get my drift.

2. Pack the night before
I laid out my clothing and packed up the plates, table cloth and glasses the night before. No last-minute trying to find the items we’d need this year, no siree.

2. Carry your items in a mobile folding cart
Last year we tried to carry our stuff in a cute picnic basket. NOT THIS YEAR, FRIENDS. One long trip on the metro carrying ALL OUR STUFF followed by a a treacherous walk to the destination convinced me that there had to be a better way. So I bought this mobile folding cart and the trip was seamless. 

4. Pack a light meal
Last year, we loaded up on the carbs…but this year, we kept things much more simple…for carrying purposes and also to make sure we weren’t too stuffed for dancing. ;) I made a whole-wheat angel hair pasta with zucchini and a ricotta cheese spread, while Alicia brought strawberries, grapes, cheese and a baguette. 

5. Order boxed flowers
I can’t tell you how many times I watched someone drop their vase of flowers, or pull out a broken vase from their bag at the event last year. LESSON LEARNED. So I brought two boxes of white roses from my friends over at The Flower Luxe, and shared one box with a couple who’d broken theirs...

6. Ladies, pack flats.
One thing to not forget? A pair of flats or sandals for walking to the dining location and for dancing. YOUR FEET WILL THANK YOU.

7. Have a safe way to get home post-party
Friends, you know as well as I that wine can catch up to you faster than a cheetah after a gazelle. BE SAFE and have a plan to get home that doesn’t involve driving.

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Summer in the City with Lucky Brand

• SHOP THE POST •

It was the summer of 2008. My summer of love. It was a year of heartbreak, my first year in college, but friends, it got good.

Like the time time we took our dog, Dallas, out for a canoe ride, shimmying off my shorts to reveal my favorite red, white and blue Lucky Brand swimsuit. Jumping into the water after Dallas decided to chase a butterfly right out of the boat. Navigating our way through the woods, canoe in hand, when we discovered a small waterfall that we had to walk around. But it was perfect.

Remember your brother’s wedding? The picnic at the park, pimento cheese and crackers everywhere. Including all over me, the messy one. Wearing coordinating Lucky Brand tees on accident. Having to explain that it was completely on accident. 

There was our alumni weekend, a pivotal moment for us. You watched watch me playing during the basketball game. Running back to the dorm to change. Stealing my sister’s shirt, throwing on my best pair of Lucky jeans. Running back to the gym, casually. Heart racing when you came up to me after the game. Singing Jason Mraz with you in the car on our way to the park. Watching the stars. Falling in love.

Truth be told - I’m a dreamer, I love reminiscing. Looking back, listening to old songs, throwing on my favorite outfits from yesteryear. It’s funny how looking back, I didn’t realize how much of a part certain pieces meant to me - my favorite pair of jeans, my favorite swim suit, my go-to tee…they were all Lucky Brand. 

And lucky me - all my favorite trends from those yesteryears are coming back full swing. Who What Wear just announced the revival of the graphic tee, but with a more sophisticated twist. Instead of funny phrases and sayings on the front, we’re seeing a resurgent of band/brand tees making their way into our favorite stores. 

I wish I had this Fender tee in high school instead of my favorite shirt that read, “There are always more fish in the sea” that I’d habitually wear after every heartbreak. FACE. PALM.

And thank goodness for these slim boyfriend jeans! These are the saving grace of “ate too much food all winter now I’m trying to look cute.” The struggle, friends, is so, so real. I love how this particular style has just a bit of ripped detailing without actual body parts popping out (looking at you, high school denim!) They’re not only insanely soft, but they’re incredibly flattering. Not too baggy...just right.

What say you, friends? Are you feeling the revival of graphic tees and tailored boyfriend jeans? And are you as obsessed with Lucky Brand as I am? Let me know in the comments below!

Wearing Lucky Brand denim (Sienna Slim Boyfriend,) Fender tee and rings c/o, Cuyana bag c/o, Ray-bans via Ditto (get a month of free sunglasses rentals with code: ITSJULIEN), Lucky Brand sandals.

This post was spnsored by Lucky Brand, all opinins are my own!
Photos by Jen Eun

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Richmond

A few weeks ago, the hubby and I drove down to Virginia Beach on a last-minute work trip. I shared a few iphone snaps on the blog, but I couldn’t resist whipping out the DSLR when we stopped in Richmond for dinner on the way home. 

We ate at this amazing Mexican restaurant on the canal called Casa del Barco. The food there is so good (with salsa on point!) Everything was super fresh (I got the portobello champions tacos!) Also tried the jalepeno margarita which was actually ridiculously tasty.

This graffiti wall was right across from Casa del Barco, so before our dishes arrived, we snuck away to do a little impromptu shoot (#bloggerlife) I hadn’t planned to take photos that day (please see the air-dried hair and minimal accessorizing) but I’m really happy I chose something simple - it really showcases all the beautiful art.

This little trip made me realize - I really want to travel more. Explore new places, even if it’s trying new restaurants in nearby towns! Since buying a house, we’ve really taken to staying in and cooking a lot, so it’s always fun and exciting to try new restaurants! 

If you’re new here, be sure to follow along for all my fun adventures on Instagram and Snapchat (username: juliengarman) and be sure to leave your username below so I can follow you too! :)

On Julien: Jacket, J.Crew. Top, Tibi. Scarf and bag (both old), H&M. Jeans, Lucky Brand. Sandals, handmade in Positano. Earrings, Material Fix via Stylcable c/o. Bracelet, Kendra Scott via Rocksbox (a free month subscription with code: JULIENXOXO)

U Street

On Julien: Jacket, Loeil. Tank, Anthom. Jeans, Lucky Brand. Necklace, Hanuel c/o. Bag, Mimi's the Look c/o. Pumps, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors.

I don’t always trek into DC to hang out around U Street…to get lost a thousand times while trying to find parking and endure the catcalls of the wild. But when I do, it’s to bid farewell to one of my very best friends.

A few of my favorite people got together last week for one last meal together before Cheralee left us for bigger and better things (cough-NYC-cough.) I wore my fave tank from Anthom with white jeans (hey spring hey) and my new Schutz pumps from Lyst. It was perfect for rooftop drinks at the Brixton, where we accidentally stumbled upon trivia night (THE WORST.) But between the instagram food shots, the 90’s era singing and the KILLER coconut curry, it ended up being a pretty amazing night. 

It’s moments like these that I choose not to focus on the all-consuming sadness I feel from loosing one of my best friends, but to celebrate the good times - no, the incredible times - I got to spend with miss Cheralee Lyle. 

All photos by Cheralee