U Street

On Julien: Jacket, Loeil. Tank, Anthom. Jeans, Lucky Brand. Necklace, Hanuel c/o. Bag, Mimi's the Look c/o. Pumps, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors.

I don’t always trek into DC to hang out around U Street…to get lost a thousand times while trying to find parking and endure the catcalls of the wild. But when I do, it’s to bid farewell to one of my very best friends.

A few of my favorite people got together last week for one last meal together before Cheralee left us for bigger and better things (cough-NYC-cough.) I wore my fave tank from Anthom with white jeans (hey spring hey) and my new Schutz pumps from Lyst. It was perfect for rooftop drinks at the Brixton, where we accidentally stumbled upon trivia night (THE WORST.) But between the instagram food shots, the 90’s era singing and the KILLER coconut curry, it ended up being a pretty amazing night. 

It’s moments like these that I choose not to focus on the all-consuming sadness I feel from loosing one of my best friends, but to celebrate the good times - no, the incredible times - I got to spend with miss Cheralee Lyle. 

All photos by Cheralee

Boyfriend Cardigan

I've had my eye on this sweater for a while now. The coziness, the slouchiness, it's like it was begging me to wear it. There was just one problem. It's on the right side of the closet - my husband's side.

One day, I casually mentioned wanting to use the sweater for a shoot. Let's just say he wasn’t wild about the idea. I can't really blame him - I’m the messy, spill-stuff-all-over-myself type. Knowing that it’s one of his favorites, I had to be very sneaky about wearing it.

Before running out the door one morning (as one usually does), I threw on my peacoat over the sweater, buttoned it up all the way and gave the hubs a quick kiss goodbye. I had succeeded! Until, that is, when I came home and completely forgot about my brilliant plan. But I wasn’t even sorry. The heart wants what the heart wants.

For a day at the office, I tucked in the sweater (just in the front) and paired it with my favorite Achro crop top from Anthom (which you totally saw earlier this week but I’m not even sorry.) Here’s the truth - I dress and shop based on emotions…Not what always matches or goes by conventional rules. I wear what makes me happy. 

And this outfit makes me very happy.

On Julien: Cardigan, Banana Republic (men's, similar.) Top, Achro via Anthom. Pants, unknown. Shoes, Call It Spring (borrowed.) Map necklace, Three Jane NY c/o (now sold at A.JAFFE) Stars necklace, Gorjana via Rocksbox (get a free month subscription using code julienxoxo.)

Photos by Meaghan

PopNod - The Fashionable Way to Give Back

Remember how I said that friends don't let friends miss out on awesome shopping websites? What if I told you that you could turn your shopping addiction into something that gives back to the community? Introducing: PopNod.

PopNod is a website that allows you to shop all your favorite brands while giving back to a charity of your choice. There are over a million items (from stores like South Moon Under, Tibi, Revolve, ASOS and more!) on the site and each one lists exactly how much money of your purchase would go towards a cause. How cool is that?!

I’ve teamed up with ten other DC bloggers to share my style story! All April-long, you can shop on the Popnod website or app and a portion of those proceeds go directly to a worthy cause. You can follow my style story (you know you totally want to) and support my campaign by clicking the “SUPPORT MY CAMPAIGN” button. Clicking this doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to buy anything - it only means that if you do decide to do a little shopping damage that a percentage of those goes to one of my favorite charities!

My chosen charity is Mission Sleep. They provide free care for newborns while local military families are deployed. If you know me, you know I have a never-ending appreciation for sleep…which is the honest-to-God truth why we haven’t joined the baby brigade yet. I can imagine it’s hard enough having your loved one deployed, but to care for a newborn on your own? I can’t even. I’m eternally grateful for the soldiers fighting for our freedoms so that’s why I’m so proud to support Mission Sleep.

Head over to my Style Story to shop this entire outfit and get all the deets on how you can be an everyday hero below!

All clothing is from South Moon Under and the pumps are courtesy of my other favorite shopping website, Lyst (you can find them here!) A big thank you to DryBar for styling my hair for the shoot!

Spring Trench

Although this past weekend was near frigid, my heart leapt when noticed little buds beginning to sprout on the trees near our house. And with temps in the 60s this week, I’ve put away my winter jackets and moved my favorite lighter-weight coats to the forefront.

One essential I’ve found for spring is this gorgeous trench I got from Estiletta. I love the way it falls with its structured silhouette. A trench is such a classic piece to own so I didn’t mind spending a little more money on this one (although you can snag it on sale now for $105!) Whenever my outfit is feeling BLEH, I add this little trench and instantly feel chic.

To keep from looking like Inspector Gadget, I added a few feminine details like soft waves and a pleated midi skirt with pumps. It was perfect for an overabundance of meetings last week and made for a great first impression.

What are some of your spring essentials?

On Julien: Dress, Max Studio (old.) Trench, Estiletta. Top under dress, Achro via Anthom. Shoes, Nine West. Bracelet, Love Juliet c/o. Necklace, Rachelle Celine c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors. 

Photos by Meaghan 

The 90's Called

The 90’s called…and they said it’s totally fine to keep the jean jacket. Which is great considering I wasn’t even going to give it back if they wanted it. So there.

Jean jackets are back in a major way this spring. They were sort of back last year, but I hadn’t really found one I loved so I waited. This jacket was worth the wait. 

I really wanted a jacket that was movable - unlike the stiff and rigid ones you see everywhere. And I wanted it to be a good price. Picky, I know.

Luckily, when J.Crew Factory was having one of their sales, I snagged it just before my size sold out. Since it was an online buy, I asked my friend Amanda about what she thought (am I the only one who seeks approval from all my friends when shopping?!) and she said she had THE SAME ONE. I’m so happy we’re friends.

When it arrived, I was so thrilled I threw it on and took these photos so I could show you. Please ignore the wet hair and no makeup (did we see wet hair on the runway this season? If so, THIS WAS *SO* ON PURPOSE) but I simply couldn’t wait another moment. This jacket is good so expect to see a whole lot more of it around these parts. 

On Julien: Jacket, J.Crew Factory (on sale here!) Plaid shirt, J.Crew (similar.) T-shirt Halogen via Nordstrom. Jeans, NYDJ. Horn necklace, Hanuel c/o. Silver triangle necklace, She's Unique. Bracelet, Tiffany & Co (similar.) Bag, Mimi's the Look c/o. Sunnies, Michael Kors.