Summer in the City with Lucky Brand

• SHOP THE POST •

It was the summer of 2008. My summer of love. It was a year of heartbreak, my first year in college, but friends, it got good.

Like the time time we took our dog, Dallas, out for a canoe ride, shimmying off my shorts to reveal my favorite red, white and blue Lucky Brand swimsuit. Jumping into the water after Dallas decided to chase a butterfly right out of the boat. Navigating our way through the woods, canoe in hand, when we discovered a small waterfall that we had to walk around. But it was perfect.

Remember your brother’s wedding? The picnic at the park, pimento cheese and crackers everywhere. Including all over me, the messy one. Wearing coordinating Lucky Brand tees on accident. Having to explain that it was completely on accident. 

There was our alumni weekend, a pivotal moment for us. You watched watch me playing during the basketball game. Running back to the dorm to change. Stealing my sister’s shirt, throwing on my best pair of Lucky jeans. Running back to the gym, casually. Heart racing when you came up to me after the game. Singing Jason Mraz with you in the car on our way to the park. Watching the stars. Falling in love.

Truth be told - I’m a dreamer, I love reminiscing. Looking back, listening to old songs, throwing on my favorite outfits from yesteryear. It’s funny how looking back, I didn’t realize how much of a part certain pieces meant to me - my favorite pair of jeans, my favorite swim suit, my go-to tee…they were all Lucky Brand. 

And lucky me - all my favorite trends from those yesteryears are coming back full swing. Who What Wear just announced the revival of the graphic tee, but with a more sophisticated twist. Instead of funny phrases and sayings on the front, we’re seeing a resurgent of band/brand tees making their way into our favorite stores. 

I wish I had this Fender tee in high school instead of my favorite shirt that read, “There are always more fish in the sea” that I’d habitually wear after every heartbreak. FACE. PALM.

And thank goodness for these slim boyfriend jeans! These are the saving grace of “ate too much food all winter now I’m trying to look cute.” The struggle, friends, is so, so real. I love how this particular style has just a bit of ripped detailing without actual body parts popping out (looking at you, high school denim!) They’re not only insanely soft, but they’re incredibly flattering. Not too baggy...just right.

What say you, friends? Are you feeling the revival of graphic tees and tailored boyfriend jeans? And are you as obsessed with Lucky Brand as I am? Let me know in the comments below!

Wearing Lucky Brand denim (Sienna Slim Boyfriend,) Fender tee and rings c/o, Cuyana bag c/o, Ray-bans via Ditto (get a month of free sunglasses rentals with code: ITSJULIEN), Lucky Brand sandals.

This post was spnsored by Lucky Brand, all opinins are my own!
Photos by Jen Eun

---

Fewer, Better Things

Monday mornings. They sneak up on us like those 5 pounds around the holidays. As Yoda would say, The struggle is real with the one. That is what he’d say, right? 

I used to get so stressed about Mondays…trying on tons of clothes, never being happy with what I wore. But since my shift in focus (from more is more to less is more), getting ready in the mornings has been SO MUCH easier. 

I’ve mentioned this (many times) before, but reading, “The Life Changing Magic of Tiding Up” was a game changer for me. I got rid of 2/3 of my clothing and I honestly couldn’t be happier. 

But pairing down left a few open holes in my closet. Namely for some high quality basics. Call me crazy, but I don’t mind wearing the same thing over and over again. If I’m spending more on something, I want to get a ton of use from it! 

Case and point? This silk tank top and this gorgeous leather bag. Both are from one of my new favorite shops, Cuyana. This slow-fashion company based in San Fran is changing the way people shop, including myself. Their curated collection of pieces remind us that fewer, better things is the way to go. I’ve worn this top with ripped jeans and heels for an elevated weekend look and to an event with this insanely gorgeous skirt from another favorite shop of mine, Take 5 Boutique. 

And this bag? Hasn’t left my shoulders since it arrived in the mail. It’s the perfect size and fits all my essentials (sunglasses case, wallet, phone and lipstick!) I wore it around town this past weekend and people couldn’t get enough of it. Random strangers were asking me if they could feel the leather and after carefully examining their fingers (for traces of french-fry grease), I’d oblige. 

But lucky for us, you don’t have to hunt me down to see this yummy handbag. Cuyana is doing a pop-up in DC over the next month until May 22 (1249 Wisconsin AVE. in Georgetown.) And this Thursday, they’ll be hosting a grand opening party where you can get a first-hand look at why fewer, better things are, well, just better. I can’t wait to see more of their pieces in person (like this perfect cropped trench and their super popular leather tote bags!)

If you’re in the area, definitely pop into their temporary location to see the pieces for yourself. Or if you want to see how I style this bag and tank next, swing on by Thursday to their event- see you there!

Wearing Cuyana tank and purse c/o, Vincetta skirt via Take 5 Boutique, Polette sunglasses c/o, Lucky Brand sandals, Sophie Blake necklace.

Dark Florals

I’m gonna be real with you for a moment here. I haven’t worked out in like a month. And as we all know, I’m someone who tries SO HARD to eat healthy but consistently  gains weight when she glances at a sweet treat (this is a real condition and I definitely have it.)

A little backstory as to why I haven’t worked out lately - 9 years ago (very close to this very day actually), I was playing soccer. And by playing soccer I mean trying to stay alive on the soccer field, running around like a crazy person trying to kick a ball in the right direction.

After the game, I spotted him across the field. He has SO good looking, tan, curly blonde hair. I tried playing it coy (not like the desperate-for-love girl I was inside) and kicked around the soccer ball with my friend. He sauntered over (with all the swagger), and started goofing off with us. He had this super bright idea of jumping on my back for a piggie-back ride (as only a high-schooler would) and something terrible happened. There was a pop and a thump (me falling to the ground.) 

LONG STORY SHORT, I had torn my ACL and MCL. I had surgery that summer and then married the man who essentially tore my ACL 6 years later. As one does.

Anyway, it recently became inflamed and I’ve been in a ton of pain for the last few weeks, and that’s why my legs have been in hiding. Because they’re growing larger by the minute. JOKES. But really.

So if you’ve seen me living in jeans or maxis like this one lately, you’ll know why. ;) In fact, I'm sharing some of my favorite maxis that you can shop below (since the one I'm wearing is sadly sold out!) Happy Friday, friends!

Wearing Keepsake maxi dress (similar), Halogen leather jacket, Sophie Blake bracelet, Via Spiga boots, Erwin Gomez lipgloss in SAB c/o and Express skinny scarf. Photos by Abbey.

SHOP MY FAVORITE FLORAL MAXIS

---

Romantic Short Hairstyle for Spring

Wearing Lemon Collections sweater, South Moon Under skirt c/o (on sale!), Schulz heels, Jimmy Choo bag (20% off this identical thrifted find with code: GETAWAY), Polette sunglasses c/o, Sophie Blake necklace, Anine Bing bra

Spring might just be my favorite time of year. I know I probably said that for Fall…but really, it’s Spring. ;) Not only does it start to get warmer and everything seems to come alive (including myself), but we start to see new Spring trends!

But this time of year is a bit awkward in terms of weather…it can be cooler in the mornings and by the time I get off work, I’m sweating my face off. HOW, MOTHER NATURE, HOW?!

So when the hubs and I went on a date night, I threw on a cozy sweater so I’d make sure to stay warm and my go-to faux suede skirt from South Moon Under (psst it's on sale!) 

I was feeling in a slump, so I went to my local Hair Cuttery for a bit of a pick-me-up. I had my go-to girl give me a few pretty curls and my mood was instantly lifted! I had her do messy waves (my favorite) and I loved how they turned out. And because I had already washed my hair before, it was so affordable (under $25!) So I picked up the cutest lavender nail polish on my way out!

This year I’ve also been SUPER into new sunglasses from Polette, an online optician and sunglasses company, for Spring. The ones I’m wearing are almost identical to the Karen Walkers we’ve been seeing everywhere, except these aren’t nearly as heavy and they’re about 1/10 of the cost from Polette (also known as e-polette!) Plus they’re anti-scratch (necessary), anti-reflective, and super affordable, leaving more room for finding more Spring essentials. Plus It’s Julien readers get 15% off their order with the code: Julien (excluding sales and e-polette collections, until April 20th.)

If you’re looking for a mood-booster this Spring, you can head into your local Hair Cuttery. You can find your nearest location here and submit your own Spring Hair Cuttery styles by using #MyHCLook on your after photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! Over 20,000 people have submitted hairstyles done at Hair Cuttery in the past year and it provides an awesome way to get inspired with new spring styles! You can find your nearest Hair Cuttery salon here.

Thanks so much to Hair Cuttery for sponsoring this post. 

About Hair Cuttery:
Hair Cuttery is the largest family owned and operated chain of hair salons in the country, with nearly 900 company-owned locations on the East Coast, and in New England and the Midwest. A full-service, value-priced salon, Hair Cuttery offers a full complement of cuts and styling, coloring, waxing and texturizing services with no appointment necessary, as well as a full line of professional hair care products. Hair Cuttery is a division of Ratner Companies, based in Vienna, VA.

Borrowed from the boyfriend

THIS BLAZER, you guys. I've worn it about a million other times IRL since I bought it. If you've seen me out in the wild more than once, changes are, I was wearing this blazer. When I first tried it on in Anthom, a friend asked, ‘but why are the shoulders so low? It looks huge!’ But that didn’t matter because I knew. I knew it would soon become one of my favorite jackets precisely because of it’s perfect, oversized shape.

It’s very borrowed-from-my-boyfriend without actually looking like it. The way it falls, the way it FEELS…it’s magic.

This certainly wasn’t the first time I’d borrowed from the boys, so to say. I got this Calvin Klein coat for Christmas last year (much to the chagrin of my mom who insisted it was too big, no mom, that’s the style) and most of the shoes I wear every day (ESPECIALLY these gems from Everlane!) are very menswear-inspired. Then there was the time I wore my husband’s button-up as a skirt. That happened.

Thanks for the note, boys. I can take it from here.

Wearing Achro coat, vintage silk scarf (love this one!), Rag & Bone dress (similar and on sale!), Tahiti flats (similar) and Kendra Scott necklace c/o. Photos by Tammy.

---