SUNO Silk Dress from Snobswap

One thing I really love about blogging is discovering new designers! I wear so many brands now that I would have never discovered otherwise. Before, I was pretty much exclusively shopping at Ann Taylor Loft/Banana Republic/JCREW. Not that those places are bad - I still love them. But I’ve most definitely expanded my horizons. ;)

A couple weeks ago, I got to preview the FW15 collection from SUNO. When I got the invite, I’m gonna be honest...wasn’t exactly sure who they were. No shame. Well, maybe a little. But after a little research, I was hooked. 

Now for the most important question - what to wear?! I really wanted to wear a SUNO dress to the event, so I went straight to one of my favorite consignment shops, Snobswap, to see if they had any pieces in stock. And they did!! It was the most gorgeous gold silk dress with the loveliest embroidered details.

I’ve found so many great things at Snobswap (like this adorable clutch!) - and if you’re more of an in-person shopper, then it’s your lucky week! This Thursday night, Snobswap is hosting a super fun shopping event at my favorite Georgetown cafe, Malmaison! They'll be selling tons of designer goodies for up to 80% off (we're talking Chanel, Celine, Tory Burch, etc.) and the first 50 people get a sweet swag bag. Better yet! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Operation Turbo’s mission to send care packages to our deployed  sailors, marines and other service members. 

You can get your tickets and all the details here! Use code DCLOVE for $5 off! Hope to see you there!

Wearing SUNO dress via Snobswap c/o, http://bit.ly/1RIhhXz, Anthropologie sequin belt (similar), Free People bralette c/o, J.Crew pumps (nude patent leather version), Sophie Blake necklace, Jill Michael bracelet via Rocksbox (use code JULIENBFF for a free month)

Winery Wear

What does a wine tour look like with a bunch of blogging babes? Take a hear-see below.

9 AM: Made ricotta pancakes for breakfast because SUNDAYS. (PS Ricotta pancakes are literally the best ever and so easy to make!)

9:30 AM: Scarfing down said pancakes because I still haven’t showered…or figured out what to wear. GULP. (That’s the sound of me drinking all the coffee)

10 AM: Hop in the shower, text 7 people to ask what they’re wearing. And send my 10 options I’m considering.

10:15: Natalie says they’re all wearing jeans so I put away my suede skirt and pop on my favorite AYR jeans that make my butt look great. I throw on my skinny scarf for good measure.

10:30: Running out the door to meet the girls! I’m so late. Typical. Slowly getting annoyed as the hubby picks TODAY OF ALL DAYS to go the speed limit.

10:50: Pulling in JUST as Reston Limo is arriving. YASSSSSS

10:55: Jump into the bus and literally feel like a BA celebrity. Can I have a super cool guy drive me around all the time THANK YOUUU

11:00: We’re off! I think for a moment how FREAKING EARLY IT IS to be drinking wine but push those thoughts aside as I jump in the limo and pour myself some red wine. Hey, when in Rome.

11:15 First stop - Stone Tower Winery. I’ve been here many times before but I love it more each time I visit. The wine is PHENOM (totes making PHENOM a thing, guys) and the scenery is unparalleled. 

11:30 We get greeted with sparkling wine (today is already my favorite day everrr) and start the tour.

11:31 HOLY MOLY there is a band playing “free falling” outside and I want this moment to be the soundtrack of my life.

11:35: We tour the new tasting facility and wine barrel room (which were just being built when I last visited!) Someone is getting married here later today and there’s a “oh I’m totally getting married here someday too…when I meet a guy…” echoing the room.

11:45: Tasting time! We all whip out our phones to see who can take the best Instagram shot. The guy pouring the wine was totally judging us but I would judge me too soo…

12:00: I smell the wines like I know what I’m doing and get a hint of tomato soup on one of them. I’m thrilled that I’ve found a unique scent, so I make sure to tell every girl beside me. And casually mention it multiple times to the guy doing the tasting. He doesn’t get the tomato soup BUT IT IS SO THERE, I swear.

12:30 PM: We’re all good. In fact, we’re SO GOOD. We don’t want to leave. We sit around and talk about just laying out on blankets here, but eventually decide we want to ride in the limo a little more. So we make our way out, but not before taking ALL THE BLOG PHOTOS.

1:00 PM: We’re finally on the road and on our way to Greenhill Winery in Middleburg! I try SO HARD to take in-focus photos in the limo but it’s a major major fail. I could have SWORN they were in focus at the time!

1:30 We arrive at Greenhill. We all semi-stumble out of the bus and are ready for our next tour. I snatch the last piece of french bread for sale at the counter and we’re on our way!

1:45 We hop into a golf cart (which I try desperately hard not to fall out of) and our tour guide takes us around the property.

1:50: We get out of the golf cart and learn about the soil that wine best grows in and I try to ask really smart questions to hide how much wine we’ve already consumed. 

2:00: We tour (what I think might be) another tasting area with the sickest furniture. We all ooo and awwww and wish we lived in that house. I contemplate sneaking upstairs to stay there forever but decide against it when they announce we’re riding back to the main tasting room for wine.

2:05 On the way back, the tour guide casually mentions that Bo Derek was just here earlier this week. Oh and so was Meg Ryan. He’s so casual about it and we’re all squealing in the back and secretly googling who Bo Derek is.

2:10 We get back to the main tasting area where we meet up with the rest of the group. The tasting is going well. I’ve stopped pretending to smell the wine and straight up judge it based on how good it tastes with the brie somebody brought.

2:30 Alicia asks me to snap some blog photos and I don’t know how to tell her that THEY WILL DEFINITELY NOT TURN OUT RIGHT NOW but I say yes anyway. I’m snapping away, praying they’re in focus. (Actually, not too shabby if I do say so myself - see her post here!) 

3:00 We are all ready for a nap. We hop into the Reston Limo bus and tear outta there.

3:30 Back at my drop off point in Leesburg where I blow kisses to all the girls going back to the city. 

3:45 Meet up with the hubs who is going to drive me home. Little did I know he brought the Ducati. But not my bike jacket. BTW IN CASE YOU DIDN’T NOTICE I am wearing a thin sweater with holes in it basically. 

4:00: We make it home alive!!

Well that’s it folks - the rest after that is basically snuggling on the couch and watching Netflix. Ah, Sundays! 

Wearing H&M sweater (similar), Express skinny scarf (only $15!), H&M booties (on sale!), AYR jeans (worth the investment!), Jimmy Choo handbag (similar.)

Skinny Scarf

// SHOP THE POST // 

Each season, I try to find a new accessory to embrace. This past summer, it was the square scarf. I got a floral one, a couple bandanas, and a pretty silk vintage one that I’ve carried straight into Fall.

This season though - it’s all about the skinny scarf. Since I’ve been on such a french girl kick lately, it fit the bill perfectly. I’ve only had it a couple weeks and yet I’ve worn it a dozen times - with a casual tee, to work with a silk blouse, with a chunky sweater, and with this cool skirt from Few Moda. And at $15, it’s a no brainer in my book. 

Wearing Few Moda skirt c/o, Achro blazer (on sale!!), Express skinny scarf, Via Spiga boots and Laura Geller lipgloss in Raspberry Roast. Photos by Meaghan

Little Black Dress NO. 758

When I was about 11 years old, my dad taught me a very valuable lesson I have never forgotten. We were in a thrift shop and I found the prettiest black dress (that I still own.) I stood there looking into the mirror and told him, ‘I love it, but I already have a black dress…’ To which my dad smiled and responded, “But you can never have too many little black dresses!”

Now whenever I think about buying YET ANOTHER LBD, my dads voice always speaks louder than the little voices saying, ‘but what about the mortgage!’ Ha, kidding. Mostly.

To be totally honest, a little over half of my clothes are black. Half of those being LBDs. I have a going out LBD, a tweed LBD, the LBD I wore to my 8th grade graduation, a silk polo LBD, a turtleneck LBD I wear once a week in the winter, a midi-length LBD, a LBD with long armpits that makes me feel all the norm core vibes, a LBD I borrowed from my sister years ago…the list goes on.

This LBD is no exception. It’s such a cute dress for fall - the high neckline gives it all the autumn appropriateness but cool enough for running out to lunch. It’s super soft too, which is always a bonus in my book. (My husband teases me ALL THE TIME for making comfort and softness be mandatory of all my clothing.)

This little number came from South Moon Under’s exclusive collection and is the perfect blank slate for a million and one outfits. Pleather leggings + this dress + boots. Skinny jeans + this dress + white sneaks. Tights + this dress + pumps + blazer. This dress + long cardigan + flat boots…the possibilities you guys. They’re endless.

And don't forget! South Moon Under's Denim Event ends on Sunday, so get over to one of their locations this weekend for 20% off all their full priced denim! I found the most perfect pair of black jeans there that I have literally not stopped wearing since.

Wearing South Moon Under dress c/o, J.Crew denim jacket, H&M booties (under $30!), Hanuel bracelet, Take 5 Boutique necklace and H&M bag (old, but love this one!)

Free People Lace Dress in St. Lucia

On our last night in St. Lucia, I saved the very best dress for last. We had grand plans of eating out, but ended up at a sweet little sushi place on the resort. Eh, when the fish is fresh, right? Just kidding. I'm vegetarian. 

I'm going to keep it short and sweet today - just like this dress. The romantic lace and babydoll silhouette are seriously everything I could ever want in a dress. To me, Free People can do no wrong. My only regret is that I only got to wear it once! But don't shed a tear, my friends. This girl has wild Fall plans to make this work into her fall wardrobe. Just you wait and see. ;)

On Julien: Jen's Pirate Booty dress via Free People c/o. J.Crew Mules. Samantha Wills ring (love this color!) Rachelle Celine midi rings c/o. Free People necklace c/o. Jeffrey Levinson clutch.