Brunching in Blush: My Valentine's Pick

So remember last week when I showed you the outfit my hubby picked out for Valentine’s Day? He did the cutest job finding this A-line black and white Shoshanna dress from Rent the Runway! He thought it was the perfect outfit for a museum-date followed by a fancy dinner.  (He sure knows the way to my heart!) Art + food = LIFE.

And while I totally loved that Valentine’s idea, my dress pick is ALL about that brunch life. To be honest, I mostly was focused on finding a dress that left plenty of room for the food baby that’ll be sure to happen. And this See by Chloe dress from Rent the Runway fit the bill perfectly. Darling details like the white stitching, silky fabric and expandable waist-tie (wink-wink) say, “I’m not trying to be a Valentine’s Day billboard but I’m also totes celebrating with all the champagne later.”

One of my favorite places to celebrate any occasion is Mosaic District, where these photos were taken. I know I talk a lot about this place, but it’s because I love it so much! They don’t pay me to write about them, they don’t give me free clothes - I just really stinking love them! From Mom + Pop coffee shop (where my hubby patiently waits for me while I spend ALL THE MONEIES in Sophie Blake) to my favorite new French hot spot, Requin, there are so many little areas to celebrate the big and little life celebrations. Or just grab an awesome cup of coffee. ;)

Stay tuned later this week for more Valentine’s Day outfit inspo and a sweet little video that features my very own Instagram husband! Until then, XO!

Wearing See by Chloe dress, Badgley Mischka clutch and Lele Sadoughi bracelet via Rent the Runway (complimentary rental - get 3 for 1 rental with code: 3FOR1VDAY16), Sophie Blake earrings, Rachelle Celine rings c/o, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar) and Ciate nail polish.

Explore

Probably the biggest reason we chose to visit St. Lucia was for it’s VARIETY. We knew we wanted to relax and kick back, but we also wanted a little adventure. Between snorkeling, hiking, boating, (attempting but miserably failing at) paddle boarding, and indulging in a (very muddy) mud bath, I think we got our fair share. The rest of our time was spent, in what i like to call, a state of aggressive relaxation.

At the end of our trip, we thought we’d indulge in some treatments at the Sugar Beach Rainforest Spa. This is the place of dreams, my friends. It’s where your stresses and worries come to die. Each treatment room is perched within the trees, and you’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there. 

Following our treatments, we followed a trail that I secretly hoped would have no end. Through the trees we swayed (well, Shawn snapped and I swayed), crossing over bridges that led to trees taller than the eye can see. 

I felt almost camouflaged among the weeping branches in one of my favorite tanks of all time from Free People. Airy enough to run through the forest, and roomy enough for the big lunch we had after. ;) I tried it on a whim in the new Free People location in Georgetown and fell in love right then and there. The rest is history.

Wearing Free People tank top, bralette and necklace c/o, Rag and Bone shorts, Free People espadrilles via South Moon Under, Rachelle Celine rings and gold bracelet.

Rachelle Celine

They say only time will tell. 

To me, this has rung true for just about everything. Will my favorite clothes today be my favorite clothes tomorrow? Will the same sweater I bought last year still be in style this Fall? Will this necklace I just bought last through the year without tarnishing?

Only time will tell.

I'm excited to share about a jewelry company that has withstood the test of time for me...pieces I always find myself reaching for...earrings that don't turn my ears green...midi rings I wear with literally everything...and necklaces made perfect for layering.

Her name is Rachelle Celine and her jewelry line is just as lovely as her name. She's a local jewelry designer in the DC area who truly understands understated beauty. Capitol File, Refinery 27 and Northern Virginia Magazine have all featured her pieces. Take a look at her pieces and you'll see why. 

She just launched her website a few weeks ago, so today I want to raise a glass to her. For sharing her beautiful craft with the world so we could all have handmade jewelry at a totally affordable price. Cheers to you, Rachelle!

Wearing Cocosand Swimwear swimsuit, Alexis skirt and Rachelle Celine jewelry c/o.

 Note: this post was not sponsored. I just totally dig Rachelle's pieces and had to tell you guys all about her. ;)

The Mango Tree

Happy Friday!! Ending the week on a little wanderlust from our trip to St. Lucia. Because we wanted both the exotic mountain and luxury beach experience, we stayed in two different hotels on our trip! We spent the first few days at the rustic Stonefield Resort and the last few  days at the luxurious Sugar Beach resort.

The thing I didn't realize about St. Lucia is that you honestly and truly have to take a taxi everywhere you go. Forget walking around town to find a great place. You better have somewhere in mind ahead of time and be prepared for a fairly expensive taxi.

Luckily, there was a great restaurant on-site at Stonefield called The Mango Tree. The food was much pricier than I'm used to, but we found that's pretty common for the area. Oh well, YOLO. 

I wanted to wear something super special for our last night at Stonefield, so I wore my custom Zophia blouse (named the Julien Top!) My good friend Betsy designed the shirt and I knew St. Lucia would be the perfect occasion to rock it. I love that this piece was totally tailored to me, giving it the perfect fit. Oh, and did I mention it's on sale right now?! 

I paired this with a pretty Elizabeth and James skirt that I initially tried on the top with. It was my first fitting and we met at Intermix so Betsy could show me how versatile the top was. I tried it with this skirt and WOW it fit like a dream...but the price tag left me feeling very, very sad. $265 was a bit much for a summer skirt, so I sadly said goodbye and vowed to snag it as soon as it went on sale. WHICH IT DID 3 months later!! Yes, it's a summer skirt, but you know full well I am going to try to do everything in my power to make this work for fall. Challenge accepted.

I also brought along this gorgeous clutch from Jeffrey Levinson. I've never felt leather so soft in my life. It's an investment piece for sure, but in the few weeks I've had it, it's garnished more compliments than any other bag I own. Not to mention Olivia Palermo has one of his bags and so does Diane Guerrero (from OITNB!) 

I finished off the look with some jewelry from my favorite local jewelry gals...the cutest Rachelle Celine midi rings and rose gold necklace from my babe Sophie Blake. Stay tuned for more St. Lucia goodness next week!

Wearing Elizabeth and James skirt, “The Julien Top” via Zophia (on sale!), Jeffrey Levinson clutch, J.Crew mules, Sophie Blake necklace in rose gold and Rachelle Celine midi rings.

Go-To Dress

You may recognize this pretty shirtdress from a post I wrote a couple months ago. I talked about how I was hesitant to buy it, seeing as it was more than I’d normally spend on a dress (around $150.) But I’m still in love, and finding new ways to style it every day. This past weekend, I wore it to my mom’s birthday dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant in Leesburg, and it reminded me how versatile it is. I wore it with a cardigan and mules, but love that it could easily be worn with white sneakers and a fedora.

A few weeks ago, I wore the dress to a blogger event. I paired the feminine silhouette with a fun vegan leather jacket and my studded pumps for an edgier feel. I couldn’t help but add a bit of boho with my cognac cross body…that’s what I love about fashion. You can pair a feminine dress with an edgy jacket with a boho bag and it just works. 

Maybe I should spend more money on clothes more often. ;)

On Julien: Dress, Achro via Anthom. Jacket, Loeil. Shoes, J.Crew. Bag, H&M. Necklaces, Hanuel and Rachelle Celine c/o. Earrings, Stylecable c/o. 

Photos by Alicia