Georgetown Welcomes Rent the Runway

Last week, bloggers, media and fashionable women alike all gathered on M Street to celebrate the grand opening of Rent the Runway’s second brick and mortar location (the first being in NYC.) If that’s not enough to convince you of how stylish DC is, I certainly don’t know what will.

DC’s most fashionable crowd swirled champagne, devoured macaroons and sampled crepes in the hugely expansive showrooms. Others took the opportunity to try on outfits for their next big event. Still others hovered over mega designer and Project Runway alum, Christian Siriano, in hopes of snapping a selfie. It was a night for the books, err, instagram feed.

Given the insane number of events and holiday parties in the coming months, I know I’ll be taking advantage of being able to try on dresses and rent them right there in store. Happy wallet, happy life. That’s how the saying goes, right?

Take a peek at a few snaps from the opening below and be sure to check out the store in person for the full effect!
Click here to get $20 off your first rental! 
Rent the Runway is located at 3336 M Street in Georgetown.

A Time to Celebrate

I am alllll about the celebration. From the little things (I got an A on my final, let’s cook a fancy dinner!) to the big things (popping a big ol’ bottle of sparkling grape juice when mom finished with chemo), I think every little moment is worth celebrating.

Some may find it frivolous…to celebrate often…thinking it takes away from the big moments. But as an optimist, I believe that being able to see the small, beautiful moments and being able to appreciate them makes us more grateful. When you’re focusing on the good things, the not so good things fade into nonexistence. 

With the holidays around the corner, I’m finding a lot to be thankful for…my mom’s positive spirit in her continued battle to beat cancer, my dad’s heart that somehow kept beating through 99% of his arteries begging clogged, for the love and support from so many friends and family members, and for our little home that we can finally call our own. 

For these things, I’m celebrating - throwing on my best dress and saying, “SUCK IT, WORLD - YOU WON’T KEEP US DOWN. We have love on our side."

On Julien: Elizabeth Dress c/o Free People and Jeffrey Campbell booties (in grey leather) c/o Free People Bethesda. Gold ring, Elaine B Jewelry 

Solsak Bag Giveaway

The season of giving has arrived! It's Julien has teamed up with the brilliant minds who created SOLSAK to give away a color blocked tote!

Let me just say, this isn't just your ordinary tote. This one is very, very special. It was created with the busy metropolitan girl in mind. In fact, the woman who invited this bag, Georgina Agyekum was relocated from LA (where everyone drives) to the D.C. area (where so many people take public transit), she discovered a huge problem. Meetings and after-work dates called for professional heels - the kind that aren't made for walking. And when you think about it, even putting a change of heels in your bag certainly won't do. Dirt (and who knows what else) from the bottom of those pumps and literally everything else in my bag (makeup, my iPad, work laptop, cashmere cardigan, do I really need to go on?) do not mix.

This is where the SOLSAK bag was born. In 2011, Georgina invented a bag with a special shoe- pocket perfect for pumps or flats. I think we all owe Georgina a slue of major high-fives.

In case all that isn't reason enough, here are 5 reasons you really need a SOLSAK bag:

1. Because we'd all like to avoid our bags looking like this.
2. The never-ending debate of whether to wear flats or heels has been solved. You don't have to choose. You can bring both.
3. Navy and canvas will never go out of style. (If navy and canvas aren't your thing, they also have a weekendender version, a hobo tote, and this inconspicuous clutch.)
4. You know the rule 'don't mix business with pleasure.' The same goes for shoes. Pack an extra pair.
5.  Your feet will thank you.

Enter the Rafflecopter below and share your best shoe selfie on Instagram (follow @solsakgalleryplace and tag #SOLSAK) for an extra entry! Good luck! Giveaway ends December 19.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Neutral Territory

I’ve really been into neutrals lately. I always used to say that I’d wear a pop of pink or a statement color jacket - keep the bright summer vibes going all winter long. But then, the cold weather comes and all I want to wear are neutrals. Greys, blacks, ivory, whites, browns. I just feel like it’s so sophisticated you know? Classic lines, less is more, all that jazz.

I love each piece of this outfit so much that I’m going to just briefly tell you about each. 

These white pants from Intermix? Wore them to meet Christian Siriano at the Rent the Runway grand opening in Georgetown. Oh, and the price? Down from $250 to JUST $48.30. I’m not lying. Go see for yourself.

This Dora Landa top is going to be my go-to for anything where I need to look good. The leather details are so so great and it’s incredibly flattering. Silk tops are my new favorite thing. 

This trench. Where to even start with this?! Definitely one of my favorite wardrobe staples of all time. It was made in Spain and I snagged it at Estiletta a few weeks ago. It’s on repeat, obviously. 

Also big shout out to Tammy for meeting me really early (thus messy hair and grouchy expression haha) to take photos on the coldest day of the year. It’s so cold, I’m wearing leggings under these trousers. No lie. Tammy, I love you.

On Julien: Top, Dora Landa c/o (white version.) Pants, Intermix (on major sale.) Trench coat, Ifeelnut via Estiletta. Shoes, J.Crew Factory. Earrings, Hanuel c/o. Cuff, Love Juliet c/o. Shades, Michael Kors.

Leather and Lace

In another life, I would have lived in LA. I would have frequented beaches on the reg and hosted intimate dinner parties in my small home in the hills. You know that one place in the world where you feel like your soul belongs? Mine is in California. Don’t get my wrong, Virginia will always and forever be my home, my soul mate, my first love. But California will always be the one that got away. 

We spent many summers visiting my family out near LA. Walks on the Santa Monica pier, taking selfies with my sister before we even knew what selfies were. Shopping on Rodeo Drive, slipping into a Cartier shop and trying on watches I’d never afford and staying in the bathroom a moment longer to admire the fancy soaps. Road trips to Yosemite that were filled with dips into natural springs and lazily floating down the river in a cheap pair of sunglasses.

This outfit reminds me of what I’d wear in that other life. I’d run errands in this top before a busy evening of entertaining ahead. For the dinner, I’d switch it out for a flowy maxi skirt (maybe like this one.) I’d serve a simple meal in pretty dishes with succulents and hanging lights. When I saw this backyard makeover of Dianne Argon’s house, it felt like home to me. 

No matter what I wear, I feel like Free People takes me back to the beautiful feeling of living that California dream. I might never have a home in LA, but thank goodness I have Free People to help me pretend. 

On Julien: Lace top, bag and bralette, Free People Bethesda c/o. Jacket, Halogen. Jeans, Lucky Brand. Boots, Impo Ochoa via DSW. All jewelry, Hanuel.