It Was Never Over

Just when we think we’ve put away those scarves for good, a cold front reminds us that Spring can be extremely bipolar. Like last week? I threw on a pair of shorts after work. Today? 2 jackets and fleece-lined leggings. WHAT IS GOING ON PEOPLE?! It's almost as if mother nature was quoting The Notebook: "It's not over. It was NEVER OVER."

Regardless, I can’t say I hated whipping out my favorite Goodnight Macaroon scarf from for one last hurrah for a girl date with Jen to one of my favorite coffee spots in Georgetown, Baked & Wired. They have the best coffee and the yummiest cupcakes in town (sorry other-famous-pink-clad cupcake company, Baked & Wired has you beat!)

Have you been to this tasty spot in D.C. yet?!

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Shedding My Winter Coat

When springtime arrives, I get this magical feeling. The sun starts FINALLY feeling warmer, melting away my anger for enduring three months of winter. I start to whip out the pale blues, the baby pinks, in celebration of ex-hibernation. I’m shedding my winter coat.

Now, this isn’t a spring’y outfit. But to be honest, we shot it in much colder conditions and I was reeeallyyyy hoping we could go with the, “let’s roll up our sleeves in anticipation for Spring” vibe.  

Ya feel?

This time of year is a great time to take stock in what I have in my closet, what I can get rid of, and what I need to invest in. And friends, don’t think you need to spend a ton of cash investing in pieces you love for the new season - two of my favorite spots for picking up pieces from my favorite designers are Outnet and Thredup! And the pants I’m wearing in this post? I paid $35 for them at Intermix. INTERMIX. You just have to be patient and persistent.

A few things I’m hoping to add to my closet this spring? A great pair of sandals, a slip dress (I just bought this one!), a cropped trouser for spring, a perfect denim skirt (bought this one from Lynn Louisa!) and more silver jewelry. This bracelet from Be. Bangles has been on my wrist constantly, reminding me that I need to find a few more bracelets just like it! And these Sophie Blake earrings have me craving another pair!

As for clothes I’m getting rid of, it’s quite the process. I need to go through my closet again (such an arduous task) and get rid of the things that I don’t need. SPEAKING OF WHICH, I just started to sell my clothing on Poshmark! (Username: @JULIENGARMAN) Just a few things you’ll find: this Tibi dress, this Rebecca Minkoff bag, and so much more. If you haven’t tried Poshmark before, it’s an app that makes selling (and buying) gently used clothing super easy. And you can get $10 off your first purchase using code: HGMGC

What are you hoping to pick up for Spring this year? And have you tried Poshmark before? If so, what are your thoughts?!

Wearing: Banana Republic sweater (old, but LOVE this one!), Intermix pants (similar), Be. Bangle bracelet, Sophie Blake earrings, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar), scarf (similar)

Closet Staple: Cleavitz

A few weeks ago, Garance Dore visited Washington, D.C for a book signing at Club Monaco. If you’re not familiar with her, she’s this brilliant woman from France who illustrates, writes, blogs and photographs people among many other things. I love her for a thousand reasons, but one is that she loves to do so many things, just like me. When we met, I was dumbfounded with words, or rather, a lack there-of. My mouth spewed sounds that were most definitely unintelligible, somewhere in the mix was definitely an “I LOVE YOU SO MUCH,” and yet, Garance was so charming, so genuine…smiling, asking about myself when she saw I was clearly starstruck. I thought, I want to be just like Garance.

So I bought her book. In it, she discusses the pillars of style, how to be graceful, how to write thank you notes…but the thing I found most alluring was her chapter on wardrobe essentials. I flipped through, desperately counting the things I didn’t have on her list and giving myself a little pat-on-the-back every time she listed something I already owned.

In my mission to create a highly-curated closet, I’ve find myself being more purposeful about shopping, about filling in those gaps. One item that I needed to be on my personal style list: a crop top. Not just any crop top and not one that I could only wear to blogger events, but one I could wear IRL to work. Let me introduce you to Cleavitz.

Cleavitz is a local company from Maryland that sells just that - the perfect crop tops that make layering (or covering up when you totes forgot to sew that button back on your work blouse) a cinch. They don't ride up or bunch. Finally a brand that gets being a woman! And best yet, they're made in the USA!

I’ve had this one for just over a week and I’ve worn it multiple times. Here, I wore it in Florida on a warm evening out to dinner with a denim jacket. Pairing it with a high-waisted skirt was important for me since I’m not a fan of showing too much skin.

Next week, I’ll be sharing another look with Cleavitz, but on a more work-appropriate note. In the meantime, I’m giving away any top on the Cleavitz website!! The contest runs through next Monday, March 21, good luck!! (However, if you can't wait, use code: SPRING16 for 25% off!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post done in partnership with Cleavitz. All opinions are my own.

Wearing: Cleavitz top c/o, J.Crew denim jacket, Few Moda skirt c/o, Veja sneakers via Anthom, Loeffler Randall clutch, Gorjana bracelet via South Moon Under c/o, and Finding Ferdinand lip kit.

Pink Vest

Springtime is finally here! Well, maybe. You never really know with this DC weather. Last week is was snowing. Today I wore a sleeveless dress. Mother nature can be a bit indecisive this time of year, but as long as she’s staying 60 degrees+, it's all good.

Although I’ve been into neutrals lately, spring is my favorite time to whip out the pastels - especially blush pink. Which, to be quite honest, is basically a neutral in my book.

I tried out this blush vest from Rent the Runway a few weeks back and instantly fell in love with it. It adds the sassiest touch to an otherwise simple outfit. That’s why I love Rent the Runway so much - not only does it make me feel like a total BA with designer pieces, but I get to try out trends without having to commit. So the faux fur vest? A staple I didn’t think I’d need. Until now. And with the cooler evenings ahead, it’ll be great for laying in the coming season.

If you’re thinking you might need a pink vest too, I’ve linked to a few of my favorites (along with what I’m wearing) below! 

• SHOP THIS POST •

Wearing pink vest via Rent the Runway, OTK boots, Citizens of Humanity jeans via South Moon Under c/o, Sandro blouse (similar), Sophie Blake earrings, Loeffler Randall bag (rent // buy) via Rent the Runway, MAC lipstick in "Velvet Teddy" (my favorite!)

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Black + Camel

This past year, I’ve really tried to make an effort to be more in-the-moment. Setting my phone down is HARD, folks. Especially when I’m on vacation - I want to capture each memory I’m making to share with you (even at the chagrin of my darling hubby!) But when we went to Florida this past week, I gave myself a mini-break. The blog was on the quieter side for once, but if you follow me on insta, you know I can’t break THAT HARD haha! After some crazy busy weeks, I took full advantage of refueling my body and soul at the beach. And let me tell you - it worked WONDERS.

So after a quiet week on the blog, I’m back! A bit more tan and a lot more amped! More awesome shoots, silly stories and killer giveaways are coming your way over the next week so keep an eye out!

In the meantime, I’m so stoked to share this shoot with you guys. I met the photographers of this shoot (hi, Erin + Ray!) on Instagram a few weeks back. They’re this super adorable couple who shoot weddings primarily, but have an amazing eye for details and style. You can see the photos for yourself, but I had such a fun time finding great spots, trying fun new angles and goofing off with them in Georgetown - I love when instagram friends became real friends.

For our shoot, I decided to wear all my favorite things together. My crazy pants (duh), my classic camel sweater (of course), my favorite necklace from Sophie Blake (obsessed), this versatile wrap belt (that you’ll be seeing much more of in the coming weeks), and my white wedges (that I can barely walk in but that are cute AF, folks.) I’ve actually worn this outfit to work quite a few times, but I’m happy I waited to shoot it until I met Erin + Ray. Now they, my friends, are the dream team.

You can follow Erin + Ray’s killer photos on Instagram (@erinandrayphoto) and be sure to also check out their website and blog!

Wearing Cameo culottes (sold out, love these), Zara sweater (similar), Achro jacket, Finders Keepers pumps (similar), South Moon Under belt c/o, Sophie Blake necklace, J.Crew coat (old, this one is next!) and MAC lipstick in Velvet Teddy.