Bec & Bridge Electra Dress

There’s just something about stripes…I don’t know if it’s the stylish ease they present or the french girl vibes they produce, but there’s definitely something there. 

I’m going to be honest with you though - stripes and I recently went on a break. I know, how could I?! But here’s the thing. In transitioning from my preppier/nautical style to a more subdued, classic, semi-minimalist, part-hippie vibe (still working on figuring out exactly what it is I am…), I thought stripes didn’t fit my new aesthetic. 

But then this Bec & Bridge dress came in the mail. I’d been dying to try this Australian brand but hadn’t found anywhere locally. Thankfully, Lyon+Post offered it as an option to try with their free subscription box. Yes I said free - and you can get a $30 credit to the site (in case you can’t part with something in your box!) if you use my little referral link! You know you want to.

So I tried on the dress and it fit like a glove. Literally though. Like a glove. Definitely tighter than I’m used to. But I loved it! And the thing I loved most? The subtle grey stripes. It’s like they were saying, “come back to me” - how could I say no? They were just TOO GOOD on this dress.

Anyway, stripes, I’m sorry. I was lost without you. But I’m so happy you found your way back into my life. 

On Julien: Bec & Bridge Electra Dress via Lyon+Post (try for free and get a $30 credit here!) Schutz pumps via Lyst c/o. Bracelets, Hanuel (here and here.) Earrings, Hanuel. 

Ellery Dress

I’m a huge fan of Garance Dore, a photographer, writer, illustrator and all-around incredible human being. (I have this print hanging in our house!) Recently, I read a blogpost of hers that resonated with me deeply. In her latest post about summer ending, she said, “I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with summer, and so freaked out about fall. Before, I loved the idea of autumn - wearing coats, drinking hot chocolate - but now, it sends chills up my spine.”

I stopped. I had never read something that articulated my exact feelings like this before and I’m so so happy to know that I’m not alone. Fall fashion? Give me all the YASSSSes. But cooler weather? Shorter days? I’m gonna go with a hard pass on those. Because I’m obsessed with summer too! The sun on my face, the long evenings eating al fresco at our favorite spots, the imaginary convertible rides I wish I were taking…nights like the one when I wore this outfit. Hanging with your best girl friends, drinking the yummiest champagne at a new store opening (welcome to Mosaic, Madewell!) and refusing to let go of summer’s final weeks. 

Let me be straight with you - I’m not saying goodbye until absolutely necessary. Thus, purchasing this white dress so late in the season. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, JULIEN?! I don’t know, ok?! All I know is that I don’t want summer to end. Not yet. Not here. Not now. Maybe not ever.

On Julien: Dress, Ellery. Purse, Clare V. Cuff, Sophie Blake NY. Mules, J.Crew. Lipstick, Makeup Meltown x Claire Ashley in Anguilla (launching September 1!)

Photos by Natalie

Lyon + Post

People always love to ask how you’re doing. “Great!” is my typical response, quickly followed by, “Work has been so busy lately!” Do you know the story? 

Busyness.

If you live in the DC area or if you’re a human being, you’ve grown to know and accept this as part of LIFE as we know it. Too busy to go to the mall, and when you do, it’s a hot mess. So busy that most days, I don’t have time to get to the mall before it closes. And I’m not a huge fan of ordering things online because when it doesn’t fit, I hate my card being charged, getting the item, hating it, having to return it, and wait for those funds to be put back into my account. It’s truly exhausting, no?

What if there were a service that let you try on clothes, that you pick - for free? WHAT? That’s insane, Julien. BUT WHAT IF IT’S NOT?

Allow me to introduce you to my latest obsession: Lyon + Post. They’re into the ‘try before you buy’ method and unlike other subscription boxes, they let you choose the items you’re trying. You can try four items at a time, view the prices beforehand and you have 7 days to decide if you’re keeping anything. I mean, hi. Where have you been all my life?! Oh and did I mention they price match? I scored a sweet pair of Cameo culottes $20 off because I did a little research. BAM. 

But wait! There’s more! (Please please tell me you read this in the Rom Popeil infomercial voice.) Not only is it free to try on clothes, but I have a special link for $30 off if you find something you love! They have all the best brands like Cameo and Bec+Bridge (my favorite Australian brands you can't find anywhere), Joie, Greylin, Paige Denim, Vince, and more.

You can use this link when registering and $30 will be applied to your account! You can thank me later. ;)

Wander

Wanderlust has taken over my life. From seeing friends on vacation to my favorite bloggers in exotic corners of the world, I’ve been in a major state of envy. All I want to do is travel the world and explore. We endure the daily grind so that one day, when we save enough, we too can explore the world.

This summer, we’ve taken to exploring the things around us. We’ve cut back in other areas for our upcoming trip to St. Lucia (!!!) so it's been a whole 'lotta hanging out around home. But it’s been kind of wonderful - exploring the things in our own backyard…discovering a new wine bar just down the street…finding the tastiest cheese at our local farmer’s market. It’s really, truly the little things in life.

A few weeks ago (before the big chop) we drove past a flower farm and I insisted the hubby make the nearest U-turn so we could check it out! It was kind of a magical. Flowers surrounding us, butterflies everywhere - I never wanted to leave.

As the summer slowly comes to a close, I’d like to challenge each of you to make your own adventures. Craving some sunshine and sea? Make a day trip to Virginia Beach! Hate the traffic? Get a pass at a rooftop pool in DC and live out all your happy feels while you pretend you're in Bali. Anything, anywhere, can become an adventure if you make it one.

On Julien: GAP jumpsuit c/o, H&M bag, Free People espadrilles via South Moon Under, Hanuel and Trina Turk bracelets, and GAP scarf. Hair courtesy of Hair Cuttery in Purcellville.

Collide

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to say it, but thank you soo much for the sweet as pie birthday messages, comments, texts, snapchats and IRL bday love. Special shout out to my babe Casey who brought me the yummiest chocolate chip cookies (sprinkled with sea salt!) as a special birthday treat. 

We celebrated the night by going to hear Howie Day at a super small venue near our house! We’d seen him at The Hamilton years ago and were so impressed we wanted to see him again! He does his smaller shows as a one man band - he’ll record sounds with his guitar live on stage, play them back, and create this incredibly dynamic music with it. We even got to meet him after the show! I blabbered on about how Shawn played “Collide” for our high school talent show and we shared our mutual love for Ben Folds. It was pretty epic.

So what did I wear to meet Howie? I wore my favorite sundress from Goodnight Macaroon, the cutest little online boutique. I’ve been leaning towards neutrals lately, so it was fun to pop on something a bit more colorful to celebrate! I topped off the look with my new rose gold Sophie Blake necklace (an early birthday gift from the honey!)

Be sure to check out Howie’s music if you’re not familiar with him - I garuntee you’ll find yourself binge-listening to his new tunes.

On Julien: Goodnight Macaroon dress, Sophie Blake necklace, H&M bag (old), Coach shoes (similar.)