Breaking the Rules

Sometimes I like breaking the rules. Not often, but sometimes. Like that time in school when boys were DEFINITELY NOT ALLOWED in our high school dorms, yet we snuck one in anyway? Or the time I decided climb the balcony wall IN OUR CHURCH as a shortcut to the bell choir? Then got caught mid-way up the wall? YA - some rules shouldn’t be broken, friends. But rules that I have enjoyed breaking over the years? Fashion norms.

Growing up, there were always style rules that were very important to follow. Tights are worn in winter, always. Heels are worn to work, always. Wear a bright pop of color to bring some character to an outfit. WELL GUESS WHAT, FRIENDS? I’m not into those kind of rules. I don’t always want to wear something bright. And these feet were not made for living in heels. 

So what do I end up doing? Fighting back. Midi-skirts that were typically reserved for only the highest of heels are worn with sneakers. A loose tank top that looks like it’s supposed to be worn only to yoga? I’ll dress it up. Following the rules doesn’t bode well with me and my mission to make my closet as versatile as possible. 

I decided to break a few rules with these two looks. First look is this blue Banana Republic dress that should probably be worn with heels and a clutch. But I decided I wanted to have a bit more fun with it and dress it down for a daytime friend date.

This dress is THE most beautiful blue color and while I’ll admit I was hesitant about the snakeskin print at first, it’s actually the prettiest subtle print. I paired it with my James Hock sandals (that I’ve been wearing non-stop), my new Cuyana mini-saddle bag, and a suede choker from this amazing company called Headbands of Hope. For each piece purchased, they give back to cancer charities and hospitals. 

I wore the necklace again (styled a little differently) with this adorable oversized tank from Banana Republic. I’ve been into the looser tops lately so I have a chance to show off a bit of my Anine Bing bra (sorry to slut it up guys, but this bra is TOO DARN CUTE not to show.)

I finished off my look with my Just Female shorts that I picked up at Lynn Louisa - the lace detailing makes these perfect for dressing up while staying cool. Topped off with a pretty pink tank, it’s a fun brunch/date night/heck, going to the grocery store look. ;)

Even though I’ve been wearing Banana Republic for years, I’m always excited to see their new pieces. While their style stays consistent (classic, timeless pieces), they mix it up enough to keep my hooked. I was thrilled to see all the new bohemian pieces in their latest collection. Shop my favorite boho Banana Republic finds below and let me know which look you like best above!

Outfit 1: Banana Republic dress c/o, James Hock sandals, Cuyana saddle bag, Urban Outfitters belt, Headbands of Hope necklace c/o, Estee Lauder Genuine Glow Lip Creme, Derek Lam sunnies via Ditto (get a free month with code: ITSJULIEN)

Outfit 2: Banana Republic linen tank c/o, Just Female shorts via Lynn Louisa, Anine Bing bra, Headbands of Hope necklace, Cuyana saddle bag, LIPP lipstick in "CAUSE", Urban Outfitters sunnies, Schutz sandals (sold out)

Thanks so much to Banana Republic for sending me a few of their summer pieces! All opinions expressed are my own.

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LIPP Beautifully

Happy first (official) day of summer, friends! To celebrate, I’m doing a little giveaway over on my Instagram page starting at noon today - be sure to head there and enter!

Wearing "CAUSE" semi-custom lipstick from Lipp // Conflicted Pixie necklace (on sale!)

With new seasons comes new trends. While I typically talk about fashion trends, I want to go into one way I can drastically change up my look with one item. I’ll give you a hint - it’ll make you smile.

LIPP lipstick shades and Take 5 Boutique shorts

Guessed it yet? LIPSTICKS! I’ll admit - when it comes to makeup in general, I have my makeup uniform pretty set in stone. I’ve found my go-to eyeshadow that I rarely deviate from, developed an obsession with this conturing palette and have life-changing feelings about this eyebrow pencil kit. The one thing that I love changing through the seasons? Lip colors.

One of my favorite companies to discover new colors has been Lipp. This season, I snatched up their Santorini shade (the prettiest coral color) and my own custom lipstick (that I designed myself!) called CAUSE. I’m wearing Cause in most of these photos and I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten on both shades.

I love them both SO much that Lipp has decided to let one of my lucky readers make a custom color themselves! Just head over to my Instagram at noon today to enter! And if you'd like to pick one up for yourselves, they're offering free shipping all month-long with code: LIPPSHIPFREE!

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Week in Review Vol. 8

Hello hello and happy FRIDAY, friends!

Let’s dive straight in - this week was amazing for a thousand reasons. Here’s why:

This past weekend we stayed at Quirk Hotel. It was ACTUALLY the place of my dreams. When I imagine the perfect hotel, everything Quirk has comes to mind. The beautiful and unique art, a rooftop terrace, the cutest spot ever for brunch, an adorable gift shop with local designers, a million instagramable spots - it was actually everything. Can’t wait to share more with you!

Wearing Cuyana bag, Intermix top (sold out), Just Female skirt from Lynn Louisa and James Hock sandals

Monday was so beautiful - I grabbed lunch at Sweetgreen with Erin (yes, I did this last week too!) We also enjoyed some killer Baked & Wired cupcakes while picnicking along the canal in Georgetown. It sure beat eating at my desk (which is what I do most days, TBH.)

Tuesday I forgot to have coffee. If you’ve ever been to the brink of death, you’ll know how I felt. 

I’m a little annoyed at something - do any of you use VSCO to edit your iPhone pics? Well I used to use the app to lay out how my Instagram looked so I could tell which photos looked best next to each other (a very real thing, folks.) WELL the app was updated and now it’s impossible to lay them out in the same way. HELP - do any of you know a free (or affordable) app that does the same thing?

Wednesday I got to see Nadine Matar at the PR at Partners on K Street. This woman is like a unicorn in DC. People know of her but only a few got lucky enough to sneak into her schedule before she COMPLETELY booked up. Last time, we “melted” and this time we went a bit lighter and brighter! And a bit ashier too. Just when I think I couldn’t love my hair any more, she goes and makes it happen.

Speaking of hair, I shared all about how I go for days without washing it, courtesy of my favorite R+Co products (which I get at my local PR at Partners!)

THURSDAY! My favorite day of the week. The day started with a work function (I work full time in commercial real estate for those who don’t know) then finished off with hosting the Cuyana Summer Party at their pop-up in Georgetown. It was the most wonderful evening, filled with friends, shopping, too much champagne (whoops) and meeting you guys! The rain held off after my desperate prayers (God, you da real MVP) and it turned out to be the most lovely evening ever. (Check out my snapchat to see more! Username: JULIENGARMAN)

Wearing Cuyana dress and bag, Schutz heeled sandals 

While at the event, I fell IN LOVE with this belt and this oversized beach hat. Which one should I buy next?!

This weekend we’ll be celebrating Father’s Day with the hubby’s parents (my dad is out of town) and NEXT WEEKEND we are off to California for our big trip to Napa, San Fran and Yosemite! So much to do. So little time. 

Have a great weekend, friends!

How I Go For Days Without Washing My Hair

It’s almost coming up on my one-year anniversary…of getting my hair cut! And I mean, CUT. Last year, I waved goodbye to 10+ inches when I had my first visit with Nadine Matar at the PR at Partners on K Street. And I haven’t looked back since.

But a drastic change in hairstyles calls for a drastic change in products on how I style my hair. The first revelation? I didn’t have to wash my hair everyday. And better yet, it looked BETTER the longer I waited to wash it! 

Friends, it takes an army. But thanks to my amazing hair guru, Nadine Matar, I’ve learned how to keep my short tresses looking fresh with my new favorite hair brand, R+Co. 

DAY ONE
This is usually my least favorite hair day, but I love getting to use my R+Co MOON Shine Shampoo. It smells SO GOOD and makes my hair the absolute softest. After my shower, I spritz some Prep Spray all over my hair so it’s protected against everything I’m going to do to it! Next, I put a little Park Avenue Blow Out Balm through my hair before I blow it (completely) dry. 

I’ll almost always curl my hair (Nadine’s tutorial right this way) with a wand in small, one inch sections. Then I spray the also-amazing-smelling R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray and I’m ready to go! 

DAY TWO
I love day two. Like LOVE my day two hair. It’s usually a bit messy in the AM so I’ll spray some dry shampoo (not pictured) on my roots and all around, really. I use the R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo paste on my roots and ends, then the R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray for some added texture. I’ll likely spray a little more Outer Space hairspray, and since it’s flexible, I never get that icky hard, crunchy hair. Again, the products smell amaze.

If I go with a more refined look, I’ll brush through my waves after spraying the dry shampoo. Then I’ll spray the Outer Space hairspray throughout my hair to keep its shape and I’m out the door!

DAY THREE
Day three can go one of two ways - if I’m feeling like I don’t want to deal with it, I’ll put it up in a half bun on top of my head with some bobby pins to give me some extra volume in the front. Or it’ll go up into a pony. Either way, I’m really getting into my Dry Shampoo and Dry Shampoo paste. And I’m being careful about using just enough products to help get rid of the grease at my roots without weighing my hair down. That’s why I love these products - none of them weigh me down.

You can find all these incredible products at the PR at Partners on K Street. And while you’re there, be sure to make an appointment with one of their talented stylists! 

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You’re Invited! Le Sud Summer Party at Cuyana

I’m so excited to share that I’ll be hosting the Le Sud Summer Party at the Cuyana pop-up in Georgetown with Sara of StyleMBA and Natalie with The Fashionably Broke THIS upcoming Thursday, June 16!

In case it hasn’t been apparent over the past few months (see here, here and here), I’m obsessed with Cuyana. I discovered them when they opened their pop-up in Georgetown, although they’ve had a cult following for years. 

Wondering what’s in my Cuyana closet?

This saddle bag that get complimented everywhere I go
This mini-saddle bag that I just bought and can’t stop wearing
This weekender bag that makes me feel as chic as ever when I travel
This red slip dress that I’ll be wearing Thursday
This soft-as-all-get-out tee that I find myself wearing on repeat
This tote bag that holds everything I need
This sink tank that I love dressing up for work with a high-waisted skirt and dressed down with ripped denim on the weekends.

If you’re moving towards buying fewer things that are better quality, you’ll definitely want to join us Thursday! Join us for French-inspired drinks, yummy bites, and shopping with three of your favorite DC bloggers. Can’t wait to see you there! In the meantime, shop my favorite Cuyana pieces below!

RSVP on the Facebook event page here.