Jill Jill Stuart Dress | Rent the Runway

As Thanksgiving and the holidays are just around the corner, I am gearing up for some killer outfit inspiration, some extremely cozy looks, and lots and lots of gift ideas! 

But as my body has been adjusting to this change in temps, I’m a bit behind! So I’ll keep it short today with a pretty Jill Jill Stuart dress that I rented from Rent the Runway. This would be such a perfect for Thanksgiving or the upcoming holidays. I felt like such an It Girl when I wore this to Fashion Week…it was one by far, the most photographed outfit I wore too. For shows, I paired it with my go-to Banana Republic sandals but when I met up with a few girlfriends for drinks later, I immediately switched into flats. I love when a dress can be perfectly versatile. 

Rent the dress here // Buy it here
Accessories: Banana Republic sandals, Mansur Gavriel large bucket bag, Sophie Blake necklace

Veteran’s Day + Election Thoughts

I’d like to take a moment to thank all the men and women who have fought tirelessly for this country. I never had enough courage to join the military, so I have an endless amount of respect and gratitude for everything you’ve done to keep this country afloat. (Be sure to check out my post last year on ways you can thank a vet!)

I’m grateful for the freedoms we all are able to enjoy - and by “we all,” I mean every muslim, Christian, black, hispanic, disabled, women and man - that make up this country. Didn’t our forefathers intend for this country to be a great place to live for everyone? 

There has been a great divide that we can’t ignore any longer. And today it feels more divided than ever before. This election did a number on me - unlike any other before it. And I’d like to take a few stands and make a few promises to you today.

While we have the freedom of speech, I will stand against anyone who berades, abuses verbally or ignorantly tells another human being to ‘go back to where they came from.’ It will not be allowed in my presence. I am not ok with hate speech in any way, shape or form. I don’t care if it is your right. That does not make it all right. My grandfather, an immigrant from Greece, fought for our country and I will fight too. Not with arms, but with words. Loved this piece by Mashable on what to do if you hear hate speech happening. 

I also want you to know that over the years, I’ve become quite the hippie. Not in what I wear, although I do love a good bell sleeve, but within my heart. If you need a hug, I’m here. If you feel like mourning, I will do so with you. I will not only pray for you, but treat you as Jesus treated others - and fight for the forgotten, as He did. I won’t tell you how to feel or not to feel. Don’t we each deserve that at the very least? Whether you agree or not, we all have the right to feel the way we want. Can’t we all just have a bit of compassion to both sides of the aisle?

Anyway - that’s where I am…let’s all love each other a bit deeper this weekend...take time to listen, and take time be kind to others.

Wearing Target skirt (similar), Take 5 Boutique sweater, Ukies flats c/o, Odeme scarf and nail polish in Odeon c/o, Fossil Q smartwatch c/o, Miu Miu sunnies, Sophie Blake bracelet, Cuyana tote.

Never Tire

Washington, D.C. - the epicenter of all things election…especially over the past few months. I’ll admit - I’m not especially into politics or the dramatics that come with. And in all actuality, I’ve had it up to here with the madness. But I’d like to address one small thing that has stood out to me - this culture of instilling fear into our society every four years or so. 

I will not be swayed my propaganda or pushed into this belief that our confidence is determined by circumstance. I was really inspired by the recent Diesel campaign and thrilled when they asked me to be a part of it.

They have a series of mottos which exude positively - something that is SO so so needed right now in our country. Sayings like, Love Yourself, Stand for Something, and Give Back have prompted people all over to focus on a greater good.

DC’s is Never Tire and I’d like to challenge each of you, whether you live in DC or not, to live this truth. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, we will never tire. We can never stop fighting for what we believe in, we can never let anyone use scare tactics to force us into submission and we must not let anyone keep us down. We may be worn out and exhausted, but we must never tire. We will never tire.

Wearing Diesel turtleneck (so soft!), JoggJeans and D-4 Amelia ankle boots c/o
Urban Outfitters sunglasses, Sophie Blake bracelet, Baked & Wired coffee

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Escaping Town with Getaround

As many of you know, I live out in wine country…yes, I commute daily into the city and yes, it’s a nightmare. However, I truly love where we live and to me, it’s worth it…especially this time of year. 

While we’re only about a 5-10 minute drive to many of Loudoun’s top wineries, pumpkin patches and apple orchards, it’s about an hour for my friends who live in Arlington or DC. And many of them don’t own a car - they just take the metro or uber everywhere they need to go. However, this time of year, everyone’s itching to get out of the city and truly get into the Fall spirit! 

Now even the saviest of my city friends can explore everything Fall has to offer outside the city with Getaround, a rent-a-car on-demand service that let’s you borrow people’s cars by the hour. They’ve just arrived in Washington, D.C. so when they offered to let me take a spin in the new Tesla Model X (available to rent here!), I couldn’t miss the opportunity! 

We picked up the car at the owner’s property in DC after seeing The Head and The Heart in concert (one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.) Using Getaround was quite easy actually - although I wasn’t initially so familiar with how a Tesla operates, the owner was so helpful in helping out, texting me as I picked it up and even unlocked it for me from the house. 

Gonna take a quick detour to talk about this car for a moment. I’m not a “car girl” per se, however, this was definitely the coolest car I’ve ever driven. I felt like I was on an episode of Top Gear, driving down the road talking about all the cool features I had never experienced before…and it’s SO quiet and the extended windshield made me feel like I was driving a convertible without all the wind in my face. 

The next morning, we woke up bright and early to visit Great Country Farms to really get a feel for Fall. I’d read about their apple cider donuts and wanted to make sure I’d be first in line. Let me just say - they’re SO worth the hype. I ate a few before realizing MAYBE I should slow down a bit. They’re that good. 

I remember visiting Great Country Farms when I was younger, but now that I’m an adult, I had no idea there were so many things to do there. First, there’s the cutest market ever right inside the barn with kettle corn, hot apple cider and lots of cute old timey treats. Before be-lining straight to donuts, we passed a few of the super adorable farm animals (this is why I’m a vegetarian, friends!) 

After picking the perfect pumpkin and getting a few dozen apple cider donuts, we admired the foliage as we drove back into DC for brunch. Returning the car was as seamless as picking it up. We had our scheduled time to drop off, and the owner even came outside to chat with us about the experience driving the Model X (which was, of course, phenomenal!)

If you’re interested in getting out of the city to explore all things Fall in the country or perhaps wanting to go home for the holidays and looking for an affordable solution, definitely check out Getaround. From $5/hour, you can choose form thousands of cars nearby. I’ll be honest - at first I was nervous about the insurance portion - what if someone rear ended me? Would I be liable for that? Luckily - their coverage includes primary liability, collision, comprehensive, theft, and uninsured motorist protection…so you can rent without worrying.

Maybe you’re interested in earning a little extra money instead of having your car sit idle while you’re at work? Check out their article on the benefits of car sharing here. For more questions, be sure to check out their FAQ page online. 

This post was done in partnership with Getaround. All opinions are my own.

The Navy Shirtdress from Banana Republic

Ah, Fall in the District. One day it’s 80 degrees and the next you’re waking up to frost on your car. And sometimes? That’s in the same day. Guys have it easy - regardless of the weather, they’re usually donning slacks and a dress shirt/suit and tie. But girls? We have skirts or trousers, blouses or sweaters, shift dresses or shirt dresses, tights or no tights, heels or flats, light coat or heavy coat…the options go on.

My solution for the madness? A pretty navy silk shirtdress with a classic wool coat. This particular dress is from Banana Republic and it was MOST DEFINITELY love at first sight. I actually did a little dance in my dressing room when I tried it on because it was *that* perfect. I’m very into styles that transition into seasons and this can totally be worn year-round.

I've said this before and I'll say it again - I want to have my cake and eat it too. Not everyone can have an apartment-sized walk-in closet (looking at you, Rachel Parcell!) and I want to find things I know I'll wear again and again. Come winter, I’ll probably be wearing this with tights, boots and a turtleneck underneath. But for now, it works ideally just as-is for both those 80 degree afternoons as well as those 40 degree mornings. 

I paired the dress with a classic pair of pumps with a fun fabric twist, also from Banana Republic. These are blush calf hair - another love at first sight moment. Best of all? They’re actually comfortable (they don't call it the 12 Hour Madison for nothing!) At about 3.5 inches, the heel is just the right size that it flatters your leg but doesn’t make it impossible to walk. (A must-have in my book!)

Lastly - THIS COAT. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect wool coat and this one from Cuyana is beyond wonderful. It’s warmer than my other wool coats and has the most gorgeous lapel in the history of lapels. It’s quickly become my most favorite coat I’ve ever owned. It may be steep, but you can't really put a price on being cozy and warm.

How do you dress when the weather’s a hot/cold mess? Please share your tips below because me and my immune system are in struggle city over here. ;)

Wearing: Banana Republic navy shirtdress (love this similar style!) and blush calf hair pumps c/o, Cuyana navy wool coat (the cropped version is so cute too!), Kicheko Goods earrings and bracelet, Merjuri rings, Mansur Gavriel bag, Static Nails c/o. 

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