Chartreuse Denada Scarf

I’m so so sooo excited to share a really fun project with you over the next month - I’m collaborating with the ultra-cool local knitwear company, Denada, to bring you some super cozy looks for Fall! You may have spotted Denada on my blog back in winter when I first got to see her products in person at the Stylecable pop up. The knits are made of alpaca wool and literally the softest, coziest, most wonderful material ever. Not to mention, they’re local to DC! Virginia, founder and CEO, is one of the most incredible people I’ve met and is bringing #girlboss to a whole ‘nother level.

She challenged me to create 5 looks with some of her pieces and I can’t even tell you how much fun we had. Minus the pretending it was fall in the heat of summer. Two words: BOOB. SWEAT. Things got crazy. But the photos were totally worth it. Stay tuned for the rest of July for more happy fall feels and cooler weather inspo! 

Here’s my first look. I shot this a couple weeks ago while we were in the Shenandoah Valley celebrating the fourth with Shawn’s fam. We took a little rendezvous to my alma mater in Harrisonburg to hit up my fave local eats dive, The Little Grill. After chowing down on some major biscuit and gravy goodness, we drove over to Black Sheep Coffee to try their nitro coffee. Because one coffee a day is never enough, ya feel? Nitro coffee is brewed like a beer, but it’s actually coffee. No alcohol. It was such a fun and tasty prop for the shoot.

This hand knitted scarf goes with everything. You wouldn’t think that, given it’s bright color, but it truly does. It really makes this outfit. Come Fall, I’ll be throwing it over  all my t-shirts to add some texture and interest. It runs about $88, but this week, you have a chance to win $100 to Denada! Just follow them on Instagram and Facebook for your chance to win!

On Julien: Cowl Large Knit Ribbed scarf, Denada c/o. Dress, J.Crew (old.) Shoes, Jeffrey Campbell via Free People c/o. Hat, American Apparel. Bag, H&M (old.) Bracelet, Phyllis + Rosie. Earrings, Sarah Cecilia via Stylecable c/o. 

Mosaic

This past weekend was one of the firsts where we didn’t have a million and one things to do…and it was kind of amazing. We spent Saturday enjoying the gorgeous weather and went to Mosaic District that evening with a few friends. They had THE cutest little flower stand that I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos under. I mean, look at it, can you blame me?!

I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to wear this pretty silk shirtdress from Rag & Bone, so when we decided to meet up with friends, I jumped at the change to dress up a bit. And even though this is hardly dressing up, it’s definitely a step up from my usual Saturday night jeans and a t-shirt. This VASKA bag from Estiletta is definitely my favorite bag of the moment. I don’t usually play favorites, but this bag really left me with no other choice. The shape and color are beyond perfect. It’s made in Barcelona (swoon) and made of vegetable tanned leather. Just a heads up, you’ll be seeing a lot more of this pretty thing in the future.

After snapping a few pics, the girls and I went to a meet-and-greet event at the Sophie Blake pop up. Sophie is one of the most talented, wonderful people you’ll ever meet. Her handcrafted jewelry is TO DIE FOR and please don’t just take my word for it - go see it yourself (it’s over near Last Call in Mosaic.) We also got to meet the designer of the luxurious perfume company, Nomaterra, that bases their scents on destinations. I fell in love with the fresh Cape Cod scent, but was equally obsessed with the Savanna scent. Sophie Blake sells them in her shop, and it was so cool to meet Aggie, the brains behind it all. I bought the cutest studs of all time while I was there and I can't wait to show you!

Have you been to Sophie’s Blake’s shop yet?! If so, I’d love to hear what you thought in the comments below! Have a great week and we’ll see you again on Wednesday for a fun giveaway! 

On Julien: Dress, Rag & Bone (similar here and here.) Bag, VASKA via Estiletta c/o. Mules, J.Crew (on sale!) Bracelets, Hanuel (here and here) and Love Juliet c/o. Ring and earrings, She’s Unique. Necklace, Three Jane NY c/o (now A.JAFFE)

Upstate

The Head and the Heart blasted through our stereo as we navigated through traffic on one rainy Saturday. Most of my friends had taken the smart road (aka the one where the train was the one navigating) but we’d opted for the affordable route, a long drive to upstate New York.

I tried to get comfortable in my seat, but the loud rain made me restless. “I just wish it’d stop, just for this evening,” I said on repeat, hour on the hour. One of my best friends was getting married, after all. Humidity and hair do not get along. I would know.

But as we pulled into the prettiest farm I’d ever seen, the rain trickled to a stop. I threw my umbrella in my clutch (just in case) but it wasn’t needed. My pleads had been heard. I’d soon get to see the most beautiful bride walk down the isle, and watch as we all toasted to a lifetime of happiness. Sans rain. 

On Julien: Dress, Alice + Olivia (same dress, different color) Pumps, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Clutch, K.Slademade. Tassel, Tassels by Sarah c/o. Necklace, Love Juliet c/o. Ring, Samantha Wills. Bracelet, Phyllis + Rosie.

Friend Date

I’ve been on a big friends kick lately. No, not my all-time favorite show that caused me to evaluate all my relationships in FRIENDS characters (“he thinks we’re Rachel and Ross, but we’re really more Rachel and Joey…) - but developing friendships. It’s something I’ve mentioned here before, and something I’ll probably continue to mention because I think it’s one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. And maybe because I missed out on really making friends in college.

High school? That was a breeze. I attended boarding school, where I led my basketball team as captain and championed change as class Vice President. I was at no loss for friends. But when college rolled around, it was a different story. My first two years were spent at a small, private school in Tennessee where I struggled finding the right group of friends…but when I finally did, I had already decided to transfer into a state school to save on tuition. Thus started my journey again at JMU, where I made a grand total of three friends. And when I moved back home after graduation, I knew no one.

So I put myself out there. I attended a ton of networking events, started my blog, took time to really get to know the people I’d met, and invested in those friendships. Not many people start a blog to make friends and develop relationships, but I did. And now, my heart is so full with gratitude for the incredible women I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and call my friends.

I met up with one of these newfound friends last week at WK Hearth, a cute farm-to-table style restaurant in Purcellville. We both arrived in similar casual outfits (obsessed with Lauren’s blog!), gabbed about our foray into blogging and accidentally closed down the restaurant after we lost track of time. That’s how you know you’ve found a true friend.

If you’re in a place where you’re feeling lonely or friendless, get up and get out there! If you’re a blogger, head to a Blogger Scene event (where I met all my favorite people, including Lauren!) If you’re a working girl (or gal) in the city, hit up happy hour with a few coworkers! Yes, spending an evening in with Netflix and take out is super alluring, but trust me on this one. Friendships bring the best kind of joy that OITNB could never fill.

On Julien: Jacket, Achro via Anthom. Tee, Halogen via Nordstrom. Shorts, Rag & Bone (size down.) Boots, Luxury Rebel. Necklace, Jenny Bird via Rocksbox (use code JULIENXOXO for a free month of jewelry rentals!)

Photos by Lauren

Happy Fourth

Happy fourth, you guys! Well, almost! I love this holiday. It’s such an awesome time to spend time with family, eating tons of picnic foods, and remember the reason we all get to enjoy these freedoms.(Shout out to my Papou who served in WWII!)

I love how this look is a fun way to give an outfit patriotic flair without feeling cheesy. A striped dress is such a staple, but I always try to add a few pieces to keep it from looking too nautical, like this fringed Hanuel necklace and tying a jean jacket around my waist. 

We’re heading down to the valley this weekend (where this photo was taken) for a weekend of tubing, grilling and puppy cuddling. What are your fourth of July plans?!

On Julien: Dress (similar) and jacket, J.Crew. Necklace, Hanuel c/o. Bag, Solsak c/o. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)