How To Stay Stylish + Warm This Winter

This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in a segment on Let’s Talk Live! The segment was on how to look cute in the cold (the struggle is sooooo real!) Rosana Vollmerhausen, owner and chief stylist of DC Style Factory, was so much fun to work with. Also HUGE shout out to Sunny Oh of Denise Sharp Hair Salon for transforming my hair and face for the segment! 

My role on the segment was ‘weekend warrior,” and I’m obsessed with everything Rosana chose for me. Below, she explains the method to the madness! Check out the segment here and see the rest of the models Rosana styled below!)

From Rosana:
One surefire way to stay warm in these arctic temps is with some creative layering. Puffy jackets can feel unstylish and by adding a few layers, we add depth and interest to her look. I wanted to give Julien a look that was youthful, but still polished. Even though it could easily be an outfit to run errands in, the pointy-toe loafers and dark jeans add a streamlined element to her overall look. Flannel shirts have been all rage, but they can easily look sloppy. I chose to add the pointy-toe loafer and dark skinny jeans to update the flannel shirt from how we've seen it done in the grunge heyday of the '90s.

Julien is curvier below the waist so we wanted to employ a few style strategies with her look. First balance her proportions by selecting a dark wash denim (recedes) and a lighter top that would draw attention up.  The most minimizing place for top/jacket to hit is the widest point of your hips.  Finally, the loafer with a pointy, longer toe box also lengthens her leg line.

On Julien: Burberry Brit Colbrooke Puffer Coat, Rebecca Minkoff Satchel, Madewell plaid flannel shirt, Paige skinny jean, Ivanka Trump Zamor loafers 

On Buki Peters: Theory Visterna Faux Fur vest, Theory cashmere track pants, Theory cashmere sweater, Cowl Large Knit Ribbed scarf, DeNada, French Connection Sasha ankle boot

On Chelsea Henderson: DVF Harriet Silk Shift dress, Stuart Weitzman booties, Plush fleece-lined tights, Black cashmere infinity scarf, J.Crew (similar), Sparkly clutch, Sondra Roberts, Kate Spade square stud earrings

On Angelica Talan: Burberry Trench, Free People turtleneck sweater, NYDJ skinny jeans, Via Spiga booties, Ralph Lauren purse, Carolina Amato RED leather gloves from Proper Topper 

Valentine’s Day Giveaway with Bull+Moose and Urban Stems

Haters gon’ hate, but Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Sure, I get the whole ‘corporate America just wants us to spend money’ bit but that’s not how I see it at all. For those in love, it’s about celebrating that love, that friendship. For all my single ladies (you too, 10% of males that read this blog) it’s about celebrating the awesome person that YOU are. You deserve that massage package, those roses, those heart engulfed pajamas. Whether you’re celebrating at home with a yummy home cooked meal like the Garman household or you’re going out for all the Galentine’s specials in town, to me, it’s all about spending time with the ones you love.

To celebrate this year, I want to send you something special for her and something special for him from two of my FAVORITE DC-based businesses. I’m giving away a floral bowtie from Bull+Moose and a gorgeous bouquet from UrbanStems! (UrbanStems delivery areas include D.C., Arlington, VA and Manhattan, NY) Don’t gotta man? Sport the tie yourself like I did (BAM!)

I’ve had such great experiences with both of these brands that I just really just want to share the love with you guys! Because I love you!! I don’t care who knows it. I. LOVE. YOU. GUYS.

Enter the contest below by Wednesday, February 11! If you want to buy one of the bow ties from Bull+Moose, they're 20% off right now using code: LOVE at checkout. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black + Camel

If there is one thing this winter has taught me about fashion, it’s that you can never wear too many layers. In my perfect world, it would always be sunny and seventy five, but alas, only California provides that kind of magical weather. So, essentially, my goal in life has become to stay that temperature no matter how frigid it is outside.

This turtleneck dress has been my answer to all the cold weather problems. When I said it was THE PERFECT LAYERING DRESS, I wasn’t kidding. When I attended a baby shower last weekend, I wore it under a camel sweater and light camel jacket, complete with a blanket scarf to keep all kinds of cozy. The only thing missing? Cheek muffs. Can someone invent those, please?

On Julien: Black dress, Sweats by Norma Kamali via Intermix. Sweater, Zara (similar.) Vintage Inspired Camel Coat, from Lookbook Store c/o. Shoes, Tahari via Marshalls. Scarf, Zara (sold out.) Backpack, Neiman Marcus Last Call (love this one.) Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.) 

Engagement Story

This past weekend, the hubs and I celebrated our three year engagement anniversary. While I didn’t have a blog back in those days, I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane with you guys (throwback Monday?) and share the story about how we got engaged.

It all started with begging. Not for an engagement, but for a vacation. After  4 and a half years of college (oh the joys of credits not transferring), I was ready for a break. Considering I graduated on a Saturday and started my full-time job on Monday, there wasn’t  much room to take a breather. 

Since Shawn’s aunt, who lives in San Diego, had graciously extended an open invitation to us, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to escape the frigid DC temps and visit his side of the family.

Fast forward past the excitement, packing, flying, arriving, eating on La Jolla beach, visiting the San Diego Zoo and finding the best Mexican restaurant in town…the day came to visit Catalina Island. I had gone as a child and loved everything about it - I wanted to share that with my very best friend.

When I woke up, I knew something was wrong. My stomach was in knots and I had the world’s worst indigestion…enter the fears and horror that goes along with those symptoms (we later found out that Shawn’s adorable little cousin had a stomach virus, of course I only found this out after our trip and after kissing all over his face…) Even though I spent some quality time in the bathroom that morning, I didn’t want to ruin the trip with my icky feels so I sucked it up like a big girl and we continued with our plans. And thankfully, on our way to the dock, we only had to stop the car once on the side of the road (although, once was most definitely enough.) 

Next was the boat ride to Catalina. There’s nothing better than feeling sick to your stomach and having the joy of riding on a rocky boat for a few hours. NOTHING. BETTER. I was dehydrated and miserable. 

After we arrived on Catalina, I tried to cheer up. The views were a dream. FYI - these photos haven't even been edited. Straight from the camera. It looked like we had traveled across the Atlantic to the likes of Italy or Greece. We stopped at a local cafe where I tried to eat something, and thank the Lord, a gracious waiter gave me some ginger tablets that seemed to have healing powers within them. I was feeling infinitely better.

We decided to explore the island and rented a little golf cart. We visited just about every place we could, and when the day was coming to an end, we walked along the pier taking photos of the famed Catalina Casino.

Although I was quite confused when Shawn asked me to take a few pics of him, I happily snapped away, taking full advantage this opportunity to capture my camera-shy boyfriend.

Only when I took a quick peek to review the photos (I was very focused on the framing and lighting elements) did I notice the eggshell blue box he was holding in his hand.

All I could mutter was, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s in your hand?!’ Slowly, he took away the camera, got on one knee and gave me the sweetest proposal I could have ever imagined. 

(Super fun side note: back in high school, we were assigned to do a marriage project and Shawn and myself got paired together. In his pretend proposal, he also proposed on a fishing pier - and ironically, the date of the proposal in our marriage project book was only 3 days off from the actual date we got engaged.)

Have you been to Catalina Island before?! If you ever find yourself in the San Diego area, I'd highly recommend a trip out to this perfect little oasis!

Turtlenecking

Behold - the turtleneck seen ‘round the blogosphere. I can just hear the resounding, “Oh great, another blogger wearing that blue Ann Taylor sweater.” But wait - it’s not just another blogger wearing a sweater. It’s me giving you the lowdown on what makes this sweater so great (and how to combat that itchy neck situation.)

I saw this sweater on District Dressup before the holidays and was smitten at first sight. The looseness, pale blue and cozy feels had me in the tizzy. So I quickly added it to my Christmas list and sent my hubby the coupon code for 50% off (works every time.) When it arrived, I was thrilled. It was so soft, the blue was the prettiest of shades and I immediately threw it on. One problem - it was a bit itchy. Now, not everyone may have this response, but my skin is super super sensitive, and I could tell the neck situation would be an issue. 

To combat this issue, I simply threw on a plain cotton turtleneck underneath. Viola! Problem solved. Oh and because it’s been so darn cold? Fuzzy socks under my boots. Yes. That just happened.

On Julien: Turtleneck, Ann Taylor. Dress worn as skirt, Yellow Button (old.) Boots, Luxury Rebel. Necklace, Hanuel c/o. Bracelets, Loren Hope via Rocksbox, J.Crew, and Love Juliet c/o. Purse, Mimi's the Look c/o.