Wintergreen

When I was little, I used to ask my mom to, verbatim, “tell me a story where someone learned a lesson.” See, I didn’t want to learn the hard way. I wanted to know as much as I could so I’d avoid as many mistakes as possible. Not that it helped much…but today I want to share some holiday dressing knowledge with you.

You see, a couple years ago, I asked for a plaid flannel for Christmas…it was all decked out for the holidays - green, red and white. Nothing cuter to wear for Christmas. And when I opened it Christmas morning, I shrieked and threw it on immediately…only to never wear it again (until the following year when Christmas came around.)

FRIENDS - I thought I wanted super festive…but in reality, I really wanted something supes cute that was festive enough but that I could also wear throughout the year. Because aint nobody got room in their closet for something you’re gonna wear once a year (minus that big ‘ol wedding dress I have yet to get dry cleaned…after three years…)

So over the next few days, I’m going to be sharing some real-girl holiday inspiration…including a cozy holiday sweater dress, a fancy schmanzy dress you can rent for that Kennedy Center performance, a cozy denim look and the coolest statement dress out there. But in the meantime, let’s talk about this dress.

I fell in love with this dress the moment I laid eyes on it in the Lynn Louisa shop in Georgetown. If you haven’t been before, PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and check it out. I’ve wasted so much time in department stores trying to find things I love only to walk away with nothing - this will not happen here. Everything is carefully curated to perfection and they carry tons of my favorite brands (that I totes didn’t realize you could get outside of LA or online) like Anine Bing, LINE, Ganni, Sophie Blake and more.

Back to this dress - it’s wintergreen color is not only perfect for holiday parties, but for every moment thereafter. The back adds a fun element of surprise with a little skin action. Remember, it’s all about that balance.

Then these earrings - one of my new favorite pair. They’re made by this brand out of Brooklyn called K/LLER and they’re great for sensitive ears like mine. I’ve sported these like crazy during a recent trip to NY because they’re such a cool statement.

Whoops, looks like this post has become the one that never ends, so I’m just gonna leave you with all the details on my new favorite shop, Lynn Louisa: The shop is located at 1631 Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. Say hi to the owner Gabby for me while you’re there!

Wearing Just Female dress and K/LLER earrings from Lynn Louisa c/o, Calvin Klein coat (similar), Via Spiga booties and Rachelle Celine midi-rings.

Story Time

I love stories. Ever since I was a little girl, I’d want my mom to read to me or just make up stories so I could imagine the story playing out in my mind. The story lover in me only grew as I got older, which is one of the reasons I started this blog!

Yesterday, I introduced you to the charitable online boutique, To the Market. Today, I want to tell you the stories behind each of the items I’m wearing!

First off - this adorable skirt
This was the first thing I fell in love with on the To the Market website. Each skirt is handmade by a single mother working at home. It’s made of cotton with just a tad stretch (if you’re ordering, I recommend sizing up!) Proceeds from this skirt go to WPP, an NGO providing health care to children in Central America and the Caribbean.

The notebook
I carry notebooks everywhere. I simply CAN NOT deal with the notes app in my phone, I need to physically write something down or I’ll most definitely forget it. This adorable one is designed by a girl named Besjana Kryeziu, who is currently studying painting at the University of Prishtina. For every 25 journals sold, a young woman in Kosovo is supported for an entire semester in college. AN ENTIRE SEMESTER! These notebooks are made in the USA with 150 pages ready to absorb your stories.

Necklace:
I’m a huge proponent of chunky necklaces with sweaters this season. This piece is made with seed beads on a natural locally sourced horn circle which hangs from a soft, adjustable leather chord. The necklace is named after the artisan’s daughter, Seadley, and was handmade in Haiti.

Bracelet:
I’ve continuously talked about how comfort is key for my style and jewelry should be no exception. This woven bracelet is made from a parachute chord and features the US Coast Guard insignia. Through purchasing a bracelet, we’re empowering the women who make these in Afghanistan to earn a fair wage in a clean and safe environment, attend classes, use the laundry/shower/tearoom facilities, and make friends outside of their immediate family (a rarity in rural Afghanistan.)

Thanks for tuning in for the latest “Story time with Julien” today ;) Head on over tomorrow for another super fun look with more To the Market pieces. And story time. ;)

Wearing skirt, bracelets, necklace and notebook via To the Market, Callahan oversized boyfriend sweater, and Veja marble sneakers via Anthom

To the Market

I received an email a couple months ago from a reader. He talked about how he really enjoyed the aesthetic of the blog and how he can’t wait to find a girlfriend so he can show her all the style inspiration. And then he said, “You SO need to meet my friend, Jane.”

I get referrals all the time - do photograph someone, to work on a campaign, but not very often do a get a friend referral! And when he started to tell me about his friend Jane, I knew I had to meet her too.

Jane started this amazing company called To the Market, a website that sells curated survivor-made goods. Women who make these items have been trafficked, abused, diseased or abandoned…but thanks to Jane, this is no longer the case.

To the Market provides a platform for these women to share their stories and their handcrafted items with the world. From the most darling ornaments (this yeti one is in my cart because OF COURSE IT IS) to the most luxurious cashmere scarves (which you’ll see on the blog later this week!), giving back has never been more fun. ;)

Be sure to tune back in tomorrow for another look with things I found on To the Market! And save the date for this weekend as I'll be taking over the To The Market instagram page! (@letsgottm) and curating a list of my favorite pieces from their shop! Until then!!

Wearing bag, necklace (yellow version is so cute!), and shoes via To the Market, Achro jacket, CoH jeans via South Moon Under c/o, and Tees by Tina tank.

Be. Bangles Giveaway

This time of year, everyone’s thinking of gifts. Whether it’s picking the perfect present for someone you love or wondering what’s inside that pretty package under the tree…it’s something that sort of takes over during the holidays.

But I’d like to take a second and talk about a different kind of gift. I want to talk about talent gifts…which are things you’re naturally good at. Let me give you an example, I have the gift of encouragement. I will complement people ALL DAY LONG. People thought I was a big kiss-up back in my school days, and would always say ‘ok, JULIEN. What do you want?” But I honestly just loved cheering people on with my words!

Someone else using their words to encourage others? This cool jewelry company called Be. Bangles. They inspire girls to be the best version of themselves through their pretty, encouraging bracelets. I love this quote from their website about their mission:

“We’re here to remind you of your greatness. Especially in those moments you’ve forgotten how extraordinary you are.”

— Be. Bangles

Their bracelets have positive sayings written all over them like, “Live what you love,” F*cking Fierce” and “Let Your Light Shine.”

And if that wasn’t cool enough, they also partner with One Girl to give girls in Uganda and Sierra Leone access to education. Each bangle sold can fund a day of education in some of the poorest countries in the world. Each of us has the power to change the world.

In honor of spreading holiday cheer around Christmastime, I’m giving away one of their bangles!! To win the SOLD OUT “Live What You Love” bracelet, just enter below! I’ll be picking a winner this Friday! Good luck!

(And if you want to see a familiar face or are inspired by Be. Bangles, head over to their fundraising page! They’re hoping to raise $20k by the end of the week!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wearing Everlane top, Calvin Klein jacket (similar), Free People jeans, Sophie Blake earrings and Be. Bangle bracelet.