The 90's Called

The 90’s called…and they said it’s totally fine to keep the jean jacket. Which is great considering I wasn’t even going to give it back if they wanted it. So there.

Jean jackets are back in a major way this spring. They were sort of back last year, but I hadn’t really found one I loved so I waited. This jacket was worth the wait. 

I really wanted a jacket that was movable - unlike the stiff and rigid ones you see everywhere. And I wanted it to be a good price. Picky, I know.

Luckily, when J.Crew Factory was having one of their sales, I snagged it just before my size sold out. Since it was an online buy, I asked my friend Amanda about what she thought (am I the only one who seeks approval from all my friends when shopping?!) and she said she had THE SAME ONE. I’m so happy we’re friends.

When it arrived, I was so thrilled I threw it on and took these photos so I could show you. Please ignore the wet hair and no makeup (did we see wet hair on the runway this season? If so, THIS WAS *SO* ON PURPOSE) but I simply couldn’t wait another moment. This jacket is good so expect to see a whole lot more of it around these parts. 

On Julien: Jacket, J.Crew Factory (on sale here!) Plaid shirt, J.Crew (similar.) T-shirt Halogen via Nordstrom. Jeans, NYDJ. Horn necklace, Hanuel c/o. Silver triangle necklace, She's Unique. Bracelet, Tiffany & Co (similar.) Bag, Mimi's the Look c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors.

Twilight Jumpers

Summer is my favorite. From the sun setting later to the fun outdoor festivities - I try to relish every minute of it while its here.

One of my favorite summertime activities (besides picnicking) is watching horse festivities. Each Saturday night at Great Meadows, they have twilight polo matches. It’s a whole scene really. For only being an hour outside the city, it’s well worth the trip down I-66. 

A few weeks ago, they had a jumpers tournament that we attended. The hubby dressed up in his preppy best (red shorts and all) and we met up with some friends for some horse watching. Of course, we brought tons of picnic’y things and had seriously the best time. 

I love dressing up for events like these. Nothing better than throwing on some cowboy boots and a pretty dress. And there’s an '80s party right around my birthday that I might just have to go to. If you haven't been to a match yet, they're going on until September 13 - hope to see you there!

On Julien: Dress, J. Crew Factory (similar here.) Purse, Rebecca Minkoff (love this white version.) Hat, American Apparel. Boots, The Frye Company. Earrings, Necklace and Charm Bracelet (similar.), Tiffany & Co. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar here.)

Charms and Stripes

Each year, our family gets together at my hub’s grandparent’s home for a Memorial Day picnic. I love going ‘down to the valley,’ as we say, for many reasons. I love the memories I have of rafting down the river, backroad motorcycle rides and most of all, falling in love.

I remember when Shawn and I were about to graduate high school together. We only recently started dating, but had been good friends for years. He picked me up one evening from the dorms (we went to boarding school) and drove me to an open field. He had brought a picnic blanket and juices for us (we were so innocent), and as we lay there, we stared up at the stars for what seemed like hours.

“I have something for you,” Shawn said after a while.

He told me to close my eyes and open my hands and in them, he placed a little blue box. I opened the box and inside was the MOST darling little charm bracelet (seen below.) It was filled with nautical charms (my favorite, obvi.) He told me that his brother used to give his (now) wife charms for her bracelet each year…and in that moment, our lives changed forever. Ehh okay so I'm a bit dramatic - what can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic!

Speaking of romantic, I opted for a messy fishtail braid for the latest side-by-side challenge - check out these braided beauties below for more inspiration!

Click the name to see more!   Amanda // Jennie // Jill // Lisa // Jen // Kristyn // Marissa

On Julien: Dress, Ralph Lauren (similar here.) Shoes, Crown Vintage. Charm bracelet, Tiffany & Co (similar here.) Earrings, Julie Vos (similar here.) Sunnies, Michael Kors.

Linen Blazer

Can you believe I’ve had this beautiful short-sleeved blazer in my closet UNWORN for the past year? Honestly, I had no idea how to style it. I’d paired it with slacks for work (BORING) but when I showed Shell B this trouble piece, she knew exactly what to do.

Unbelted and paired with a simple white tank, a few dangly necklaces and boyfriend shorts, this jacket went from not-so-safari-chic to OMG I’M NEVER TAKING THIS OFF. And while I’m typically hesitant to wear shorts (my days of 2-hour workouts are long gone), I love that these looser-fit ones don’t leave me feeling like I need to tug at them every 5 seconds.

Any others ideas on how I should style this blazer? I’d love your thoughts!

Blazer, Banana Republic (cute sleeveless version here and similar jacket version here.) Shorts, Martin & Osa (store closed, but similar boyfriend shorts here.) Pocket tank, Martin & Osa (similar here.) Shoes, DSW (similar here.) Headband, American Eagle (similar version with flowers here.) Chain necklace, thrifted (similar here.) Fuchsia necklace, Dandelion Patch. Bar necklace, She’s Unique. I Love You ring, Tiffany & Co. Sunnies, Michael Kors. 

Photo and styling by Shell B.