Ganni Lace Dress

As the wedding invitations and Save the Dates for 2017 celebrations have come flooding through my mailbox, one thing is very apparent - it’s time to get creative. 

Because when it comes to wedding guest dressing (touched a bit on that here), a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to work. There are beach weddings, picnic weddings, church weddings, semi-formal, black-tie…the list goes on. 

So when I received an invitation for a semi-formal wedding, I immediately scanned my closet. Quickly, I realized how little ‘fancier dresses’ I actually had. Between my semi-dramatic style evolution (haha kills me to say that BUT HAVE YOU SEEN MY OLD STYLE POSTS? NO? GOOD. PLEASE DON’T), loosing a bit of weight last year, and the shift into buying fewer, better things, it was clear that this gaping hole for wedding dressing had to be filled.

But instead of popping over to the mall (my former go-to strategy that always seemed to leave me empty-handed and overwhelmed), I found myself at one of my favorite boutiques in Georgetown, Lynn Louisa. While I typically find the best casual pieces there, I knew she’d have something just right for one of my upcoming weddings. And she did.

When I saw this Ganni dress, it was love at first sight. The lace is the softest I’ve ever felt, and the length is just right for a number of dressy occasions. My friend Natalie always says, “If you can immediately think of three different ways to wear something, get it” so this was an easy choice for me. While I’ve dressed it up here with a slip dress underneath, it would be adorable paired over high-waisted, wide-leg jeans and also with a cozy sweater come fall and winter. 

And better yet - this dress is currently on sale now at Lynn Louisa so if you love it as much as I do, be sure to check out Washington's best new boutique, as voted by Washingtonian Magazine!

Wearing Ganni lace dress via Lynn Louisa (this is next on my list!), H&M slip dress (under $25!), Banana Republic sandals, Jeffrey Levinson clutch c/o, Sophie Blake bracelet. 

Jet Lag

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

And by happy Wednesday, what I really mean to say is, HOW IS IT NOT FRIDAY YET-day. While I’m ever grateful for the shorter week, let’s be real - we all need a vacation after a long weekend.

Something that makes the workweek even more unbearable? JET LAG. 

Somehow I forget how awful it is every time I go on a trip across the coast. I learned after a trip to California a few years ago that the red eye is never, ever going to work for me. I always assume I’ll get tons of sleep on the plane, but I never do. I remember calling my boss after getting in at 6 AM that I was going to sleep for ‘just a few hours’ then come in. Ya - that didn’t happen. I slept until about 3 PM and had to use an extra vacation day. Major womps.

This time, we booked a mid-day flight out of San Francisco (a day early too!) so we could ease back into East Coast time. 

And yet, somehow it still feels like I’m dragging myself out of the dark unknown every time my alarm goes off at 6 AM. Why do my eyes hurt so badly? Why is it so hard to keep my eyes open? Why can’t I muster up the energy to do my hair? Thoughts of drifting to sleep consume me. HOW ON EARTH DO YOU DO IT, SARA?

But as I learn to accept the things I can not change, I’ve learned to just go with it. Because really, this won’t last forever. It’s only temporary - until next time.

Wearing Just Female skirt via Lynn Louisa, Halogen top (old), Veja sneakers via Anthom, Clare V clutch, vintage scarf, Oakley sunnies via Ditto (use ITSJULIEN for a free month!), MAC lipstick in Velvet Teddy.

Week in Review - Vol. 6

Phew - thank goodness for 4-day work weeks. I say we make this a habit, shall we? IF ONLY!

We spent last weekend in Orlando (see my weekend snaps here!) so getting back into the swing of things was hard. Luckily, there were lots of fun things I had planned for the week ahead!

Photo by Via Leah

Wednesday I met up my friend, Leah, for a little shopping trip in Georgetown. We grabbed a quick bite at Chaia then popped over to a few of my favorite local shops, Lynn Louisa! I picked up some sassy shorts that I can’t wait to show you soon!

Shopping at Lynn Louisa

Later that evening, I attended the opening of the new Blue Mercury shop in Cathedral Commons and got to meet the company’s founders, Marla and Barry Beck! I got some great skincare secrets that I’ll be sharing on the blog next week! In the meantime, be sure to check out their new location at Cathedral Commons at 3320 Wisconsin Ave., NW.

While at the Blue Mercury event, I snagged a few of my favorite products - their M-61 makeup remover (the best one I’ve tried so far!) and the Oribe Supershine Cream. Friends, it’s an investment, I know. But after using up my sample size version of this, I knew I had to go ALL IN. It’s the only way I survive the summer humidity and the winter static-hair syndrome.

Inspiring read of the week - this post by the Be. Bangles founder will make you realize you’re worth more than you give yourself credit for. 

This weekend will be ALL ABOUT the gardening. In case you didn’t know, I’m a little old lady at heart. We’ll be planting zucchini, summer squash, spinach, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro, thyme, basil, and more. As long as it doesn’t rain. 

Are you addicted to the farmer’s market? Then you won’t want to miss this post where I share my tips on how to make the most of your trip!

Something about New York

Another fashion week season has come and gone…and while I spent most of the insanity-ridden hoopla comfortable in my PJs, I loved keeping up with all the shows through streaming and of course, Snapchat.

While all my friends were in the thick of it all, I was switching screens between watching the Tory Burch show online and on Kayak.com, planning an exit strategy from this unsightly weather we've been having.

But while I certainly didn’t miss running around in sub-zero temps in my very highest heels, I was bummed not to be there in person. Because to me, there’s nothing like New York.

A few months ago I had visited New York to see one of my favorite people in the world, Cheralee! While we were there, we ran around the city like madwomen, snapping photos, shopping and eating ALL. THE. FOOD. Not to be cheesy, but it was kind of this magical experience - I was inspired by every street we walked down, by the incredible flavors in each of the dishes we devoured, and by getting to work my creative side by taking photos all day long.

I wore a plethora of outfits during my trip, but I wore this Just Female dress to dinner at a delightful farm-to-table restaurant in West Village called Westville. I snagged it before my trip at Lynn Louisa, one of my very favorite shops in Georgetown. I paired it with this pretty plaid jacket from Lou & Grey at their new Tysons location (another one of my go-to’s for all the cozy goodies.) And because we’d be taking the subway and walking just about everywhere, I donned my favorite shoewear trend, sneakers!

There's just something about New York. I can't WAIT until my next trip...but due to unforseen allergic reactions to the cold, it may just have to wait. ;)

Wearing Just Female dress and K/LLER earrings from Lynn Louisa (my favorite little Georgetown boutique!) c/o, Lou & Grey jacket c/o (sold out, more cute jackets here!), Veja sneakers via Anthom, Vaska bag via Estiletta c/o, Sophie Blake ring and Ray Ban sunnies in black matte. Photos by Cheralee