Brunching in Blush: My Valentine's Pick

So remember last week when I showed you the outfit my hubby picked out for Valentine’s Day? He did the cutest job finding this A-line black and white Shoshanna dress from Rent the Runway! He thought it was the perfect outfit for a museum-date followed by a fancy dinner.  (He sure knows the way to my heart!) Art + food = LIFE.

And while I totally loved that Valentine’s idea, my dress pick is ALL about that brunch life. To be honest, I mostly was focused on finding a dress that left plenty of room for the food baby that’ll be sure to happen. And this See by Chloe dress from Rent the Runway fit the bill perfectly. Darling details like the white stitching, silky fabric and expandable waist-tie (wink-wink) say, “I’m not trying to be a Valentine’s Day billboard but I’m also totes celebrating with all the champagne later.”

One of my favorite places to celebrate any occasion is Mosaic District, where these photos were taken. I know I talk a lot about this place, but it’s because I love it so much! They don’t pay me to write about them, they don’t give me free clothes - I just really stinking love them! From Mom + Pop coffee shop (where my hubby patiently waits for me while I spend ALL THE MONEIES in Sophie Blake) to my favorite new French hot spot, Requin, there are so many little areas to celebrate the big and little life celebrations. Or just grab an awesome cup of coffee. ;)

Stay tuned later this week for more Valentine’s Day outfit inspo and a sweet little video that features my very own Instagram husband! Until then, XO!

Wearing See by Chloe dress, Badgley Mischka clutch and Lele Sadoughi bracelet via Rent the Runway (complimentary rental - get 3 for 1 rental with code: 3FOR1VDAY16), Sophie Blake earrings, Rachelle Celine rings c/o, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar) and Ciate nail polish.

You're Invited!

I wanted to invite each of you to a fun event I’m hosting this Saturday night at the Sophie Blake + Erika Schrieber Collective pop up in Mosaic District! It's open to the public, so feel free to bring a friend! Here are all the details:

Date: February 6 from 5-8 PM

Location: Sophie Blake + Erika Schrieber Collective in Mosaic District
2905 District Avenue, Suite 100
Fairfax, VA 22031

What: See what your lip print says about you with lipsologyst, Ariana Lightningstorm and preview the latest designs by Sophie Blake Jewelry! Enjoy light bites and bubbly while getting ready for Valentine’s Day (or just plain ‘ol shopping) with yours truly!

If you’re interested, please RSVP directly to Sophie at contact@sophieblakeny.com or RSVP here! Hope to see you there!

Blush and Bordeaux

Wearing Justicia Ruano dress via Estiletta, Boohoo jacket, M.Gemi pumps (similar), Sophie Blake earrings, Jeffrey Levinson clutch in "sand stone" c/o

I’d like to tell you a story. You see, most days, I ride the bus to work. It’s hardly glamorous, but definitely beats driving over an hour each way. Anyway, there’s this older lady on my bus. I’ve seen her a handful of times and every time I do, she is dressed to the nines. I’ve always admired her and wanted to tell her, YOU HAVE THE BEST STYLE multiple times but have always chickened out for looking like a complete fool.

Yesterday, I noticed her again. She got onto the bus and swiped her Smart Trip card. The something happened. She sat next to me! I couldn’t believe my luck! Should I give her a compliment or will that scare her away? Should I try to strike up a conversation on my fairly strict “NO TALKING” bus? She turned to her right and started chatting up a woman across the way. YES! A rule-breaker, I like her already.

The bus suddenly came to a halt - our bus driver had knicked the side of something. Although I was ticked off that I’d be late AF getting home, I knew now was my chance.

“Did you see what happened?” I asked my neighbor. I didn’t mean to smell her, but she smelled just like my Nana…and I instantly wanted to be her very best friend.

“I didn’t but he’s standing out there with the police now. I wish he’d tell us what's going on!” she said. While she could have been pissed when she said those words, she wasn’t. Almost cheerful. A good attitude amidst the madness - definitely not something you see around these parts.

“Did you know there’s a new Parisian patisserie opening in our town?” I asked, hoping to impress her with my wealth of knowledge and good taste in food.

“NO WAY!” she shrieked, “when is it opening?”

And the rest is history. We chatted throughout the trip (quietly, for the most part!) After we parted ways, I realized how much of an impression she had on me. Not just her impeccable style, but for her gracious, cool and slightly-rebellious attitude. I want to be just like her.

Today’s outfit is something I imagine my Badass Bus Lady would wear. A perfect combination of cool and glamorous…and the cutest idea for Valentine’s Day that isn’t overdoing it. Regardless of what Man Repeller says, you just won’t find me in neon pink and cherry red. It’s just not happening. Bourdoux and blush? That’s more my speed.

I had no idea how much I needed a faux fur coat until I tried this one on from Boohoo. It adds the most perfect vibe to literally anything. And this dress?! It’s everything - I rented it from Estiletta when I met Andre Leon Talley, a former vogue editor and writer of “Oscar de la Renta…” I paired it with the chicest clutch from Jeffrey Levinson, one of my favorite bag designers of all time. I’m all about finding classic silhouettes with a punch of coolness (these SLEEVES THOUGH) and I think this outfit did the trick.

What are you wearing for Valentine’s Day?! I have a few more looks up my sleeve, so stay tuned for more later this week! XO!

Dreamy Valentine

Valentine’s Day is one of those days of the year that come with SUPER high expectations. Like New Years - people expecting you to stay up until midnight (I’ll just go ahead and admit that I BARELY lasted until 11:30), wear your most sparkly dress and have the most champagne-filled instagram of all.

Valentine’s Day can have a similar vibe. Who is going to have the prettiest peonies? Who’s going to make the grandest plans of all? Did you make heart shape pancakes for breakfast? Because cereal isn’t gonna cut it today, guys. And while I’m sharing some SUPER fun Valentine’s Day ideas next week, I’ll be the first to admit it can all be a bit much.

Over the next few days, I’m forgoing the typical heart-scattered, red and pink filled posts for more subdued, romantic looks. Because let’s be real - take a look at my Instagram. Hearts, stars and horseshoes? Hardly. To be honest, I had no idea how neutral my fashion has been lately until I noticed that BASICALLY every outfit I’ve worn over the past few months have been black and white (with splashes of blush and maroon thrown in for good measure.)

When planning my Valentine’s Day looks, I had to swing by one of my favorite local shops, South Moon Under at Mosaic District. They carry my favorite romantic brands like Free People, Gorjana and ban.do! I love that they’re always thinking ahead, so I was able to pick up this cute outfit that’s great for layering in the winter, but could be worn alone once the weather warms up! (Like it did this past weekend - BLESS.)

This flowy Free People blouse I picked up from SMU has the perfect flirt factor without ONLY being for Valentine’s Day.

I paired it with the most versatile faux suede skirt (that I’ve worn apprx. 10 times since I bought it last weekend) and my color block Maison Martin Margiela boots. To take the look up a notch, I added a bold, orangy-red lip from Makeup Meltdown and my favorite blush cross-body bag from Estiletta. I imagine I’d wear this to a wine bar near our house before a late dinner (like the Europeans do!) We watched A Good Year last night and so of course, I’m all like, ‘let’s rent a villa in France and drink all the wine!’ Because why not! ;)

Wearing Free People top, suede skirt, Gorjana bracelet and leather belt via South Moon Under c/o, Maison Martin Margiela boots (similar), VASKA bag via Estiletta c/o, Free People necklace c/o and Makeup Meltdown lipstick in "Siren" c/o.

Giving Back with Hair Cuttery

With this past month being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, it really got me thinking about doing my part. Doing my part to give back, to help others out with the skills I have and to make giving back a priority.

When we were younger, it was easy. In college, they required that we volunteer 10 hours a week for a cause we believed in. I spent those hours washing dishes a local homeless shelter, mentoring a girl in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, walking dogs at the local animal shelter, helping with warm clothing drives in the winter, and going on a few mission trips (see examples of these in a few hilarious throwback photos I’ve included!) Giving back felt good.

This was during one of our trips to feed the homeless when I was in high school

A shot I took while we were on a mission trip in Fiji my Sophomore year

Mission Trip to the Bahamas

When we were in 8th grade, my friend and I planned a mission trip for our class to the Bahamas! I got braids because of course I did.

Another shot from our 8th grade mission trip from my old black and white film camera (remember when terry cloth jumpers were SO IN?!)

In Fiji playing "Awana Talkie Talkie" (a very duck-duck-goose game) during one of our breaks from building a church there

A cute bunch of kids we brought food for in Fiji

Now that it’s not in the required curriculum of life, I must say it’s a bit more difficult to give back. Luckily there are companies out there who are making it easier.

Hair Cuttery is gearing up for their Share-a-Haircut program next week. Since ’99, they’ve donated well over a million haircuts to those in need. On February 1 and 2, when you get a haircut, they donate one to a homeless person in our community through partnering with local shelters and community organizations! In the past, Hair Cuttery has supported lots of incredible causes like the American Cancer Society, Girls on the Run, The American Red Cross and The National Network to End Domestic Violence. With a focus on aiding the area’s homeless, this struck close to my heart.

You see, giving back to the homeless community has a special place in my heart. When I was younger, once a month our church would make bagged lunches and we’d deliver them to homeless in D.C. Doing this as a young person completely changed my perspective on others. Many of these people were veterans and people who'd lost their job in a rough economy. And especially in these colder months, life for them is no cake walk, friends. I want to do my part to make a difference and I love that Hair Cuttery does too. You can find out more about their Share-a-Haircut program here!

This post was done in partnership with Hair Cuttery. Find your nearest location here. All opinions expressed are my own.