Green Sequin Dress

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There's something truly magical about this time of year. There's a multitude of holidays to make the cold weather more bearable, opportunities to brighten someone's day and a chance to wear something special! 

But when it comes to wearing something special, there's another important thing to remember...

You can be as cute as can be but if you're not warm, you're NOT going to be happy. 

Ok, maybe that's just me...but I've said it before and I'll say it again - I will not sacrifice comfort (and warmth) for fashion. Never. Ever. My husband ALWAYS makes fun of me for this - he asks me constantly, "why do you need everything to be so soft and comfortable?" UMM BECAUSE I CAN. Hello.

This summer was all about throwing your dress over a tee, but this winter, I'm switching it out for a cozy turtleneck. This one from Uniqlo is super soft, but still lightweight. I don't like my turtlenecks to make me feel like I'm suffocating. 

Then - the star of the show - THIS DRESS from South Moon Under. SMU has become one of my top 5 favorite stores this year. I always find something I love and they have such a wide variety of pieces without the selections being overwhelming. I just bought this fuzzy jacket and have been wearing it non-stop since it arrived.

This number will definitely be worn to multiple holiday parties and don't be surprised if I break it out for New Year's too. ;)

Wearing green sequin dress via South Moon Under c/o (and on sale!), Uniqlo turtleneck c/o, Diesel boots c/o, Baublebar necklace, Kapten & Son watch c/o

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Self Portrait Lace Dress

I’m a last-minute planner. I hate to admit this, but it’s just the way I am. I pack the night before a trip (often leaving out very important items and I’m ways down for spur-of-the-moment adventures because it leaves out the planning process completely.

So when my cousin got married a few weeks ago, I casually perused my closet the week before. Surely, I had something great to wear.

But as I opened up our closet and looked through my items, my smile turned upside down as I realized that I’d spent so much time working on my ‘casual wear game,’ that I’d completely neglected my event/wedding wear game. While I heavily rely on Rent the Runway for most events, I realized I NEEDED to buy at least one great cocktail dress I could wear and re-wear for lots of different events.

I’ve been vying after a Self Portrait dress for quite some time, but the price point seemed just out of reach for me. So imagine my joy when I spotted this one on the Outnet for just around $200. There were only a few sizes left, and I’d heard people talk about Self Portrait’s weird sizing issues, so I crossed my fingers and ordered the UK size 8 (I’m usually a US 4.)

When the dress arrived, I ripped open the box and threw the dress on. Luckily, it was the perfect fit! I’m not saying I’ll be eating pizza before I need to wear it and think it’s all gonna be fine…because it certainly doesn’t have a TON of room to give around my waistline, but it’s in every way perfect to me. Expect to see this at just about every holiday party I attend this year, NO SHAME.

Needless to say, it was a hit at the wedding, and the perfect piece a couple weeks later when I wore it to the Washingtonian Style Setters party. I met up with photographer Dennis Turbeville before the event to run around CityCenter (but not too quickly given the height of these heels), and snap a few pics. We had such a blast, and if you’re looking for an inspiring account to follow, be sure to check out his site and Instagram page!

Wearing Self Portrait dress via The Outnet, Banana Republic sandals (my go-to fancy shoe), Jeffrey Levinson clutch, and Sophie Blake bracelet. 

Julien's 2016 Holiday Guide

And without further ado, I'm so thrilled to share my 2016 Holiday Guide, a collection of gifts for everyone on your list this year! I can't wait to hear what you think. Xx!

What Our Family Did Over Thanksgiving

There’s nothing like a few days to get a little R&R! Although, to be honest, this week was kind of insane for us - tons of family gatherings, baking up a storm, getting our tree, etc. So much so - that we ended up living the sloth life yesterday at home in our PJs all day. I’m always interested in how others spend their holidays, so I wanted to share with you how I spent mine!

I did a ton of online shopping.
Most of my list is complete, and I’m planning on knocking out the last few gifts tonight. If you missed my Cyber Monday deals post, check out the best sales right now here!

I stocked up on holiday cards.
More to come, but here’s a sneak peek of the cards I snagged from my favorite card e-retailer, Julie Ann Art. (Snag 30% off her cards on Monday, Nov. 28 with code: ENJOY30)

I focused on what I’m thankful for.
I love doing this, and need to make it a more regular habit. When we take time to think about how lucky we are, it seems to make our problems seem much more manageable. Hear what I’m especially thankful for here. (And! Check out my fun feature on the Lookbook blog about being thankful!)

I baked cookies. 
Not the kind where you need to only add butter and an egg (for once!) My Nana used to make these incredible Italian Lemon Christmas Cookies and I labored and labored over them this year for our Thanksgiving celebrations. They were worth every ounce of sweat.

We spent Thanksgiving in the country.
Tofurkey Day (vegetarian jokes) was spent in the Shenandoah with the hubby’s family. It’s always a big celebration with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends joining us from around the country. I wore this super cozy Joie cardigan and perfectly-sized Clare Vivier tote from Rent the Runway. We ended the night with Cards Against Humanity with the whole family - which was interesting to say the least! 

We got our tree!
Each year, we head to a Christmas Tree Farm and pick our own. It’s become one of my favorite holiday traditions for us (plus makes an excellent opportunity for photos!) This year we went to Mountain View Farm in Woodstock, Virginia. The trees here are insanely cheap (ranging $35-$45, no limit on size) and great quality. The tree we got here is - by far - my FAVORITE we’ve ever gotten. Will be sharing more photos soon!

What did you do over Thanksgiving?! Also! Don't forget to enter to win $1,000 to Nordstrom below!

Now…it’s time for a fabulous giveaway! I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to give YOU a chance to win: a $1000 Nordstrom Gift Card, just in time for the holidays!

Simply enter below by completing the rafflecopter. You’ll receive one entry per completion. This giveaway is open internationally and runs until 12/5. Winner will be announced here. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Best Black Friday + Cyber Monday Sales

Ann Taylor  
// 50% off Sitewide and In Store
DATE: 11/23-11/25
CODE: celebrate

Anthropologie
30% off everything (for a limited time only!)
CODE: LETSGO

AYR
// 25% off EVERYTHING
DATE: 11/28
CODE: YOLO

Banana Republic
// 50% off 5 regular-priced items sitewide
DATE: 11/24-11/26 (online) 11/24-11/28 (in store) 
// 50% off Sitewide and In Store
DATE: 11/27-1/28

BaubleBar
// 25% off 1 item
CODE: SAVE25

// 35% off 2 items or more
CODE: SAVE35
DATE: 11/27-11/29 

Furbish Studio
// 20% off Sitewide
DATE: 11/24 – 11/28
CODE: HOLIDAY20

Bloomingdale’s
// Extra 25% off a large selection of items Sitewide
DATE: 11/27-11/28

//  Take $25 off of every $200 you spend Sitewide + save up to 50% on select items

// Take 25% off a large selection of regular and sale price items for a total savings of up to 60% off online
DATE: 11/27-11/28

BNKR
// Cyber Monday 25% off full-priced items + extra 40% off sale items
DATE: 11/28
CODE: SALE50

Dylan’s Candy Bar
// 25% off Sitewide
DATE: 11/28
CODE: STOCKINGSTUFFER

East Dane
// Spend $200+, get 15% off; Spend $500+, get 20% off; Spend $800+, get 25% off
DATE: 11/22-11/29
CODE: GOBIG16

// Spend $200+, get 15% off,  Spend $500+, get 20% off,  Spend $800+, get 25% off
DATE: 11/22-11/28
CODE: GOBIG16

Express
// 50% off everything In Store and Sitewide + Free Shipping
DATE: 11/22-11/25 

// 50% off everything ONLINE ONLY + Free Shipping
DATE: 11/28

Fossil
// 25% off site wide
Date: 11/28
CODE: GIFT25

FORZIERI
// 30% off all orders of $350+
DATE: 11/28-12/1
CODE: CYBERSTYLE30

// VIP 30% off orders of $500 or more and 25% OFF orders of $325 or more
DATE: 11/23-11/27
CODE: BSTYLE30, BSTYLE25

French Connection
// 40% Off Everything In Store and Sitewide + Free Shipping
DATE: 11/21-11/29
CODE: F40BLF

Furbish Studio
// 20% off site wide
DATE: 11/24-11/28
CODE: HOLIDAY20

Gorjana
// 30% off curated category
DATE: 11/21-11/27
CODE: STUFFED 

// Spend $100, Save $25
DATE: 11/28

INTERMIX  
// Flash Sale: 40% Off Select Full Priced Items In Stores & Online
DATE: 11/21-11/22

// Extra 40% Off Sale
DATE: 11/23-12/7
// $150 off every $750 spent with code. 

DATE: 11/24-11/28
CODE: THANKS

Minted
// 15% off no minimum, 20% off $150+ on holiday
DATE: 11/23-11/27
CODE: BF2016

// 20% off $150+ on holiday, wedding, and all gifts
DATE: 11/23-11/28
CODE: BF2017

Moda Operandi
// Sale items up to 65% off
DATE: 11/21-11/28
CODE: EXTRA30

Nordstrom
// Take an extra 20% off selected sale items
DATE: 11/24- 11/28

Old Navy
// 50% almost everything! Discount taken at checkout

Revolve
// Tons of great items on major sale

Serena and Lily
// 20% off everything
Date: 11/25-11/27
CODE: THANKYOU

// 25% off Sitewide
DATE: 11/28
CODE: BESTEVER

Shopbop
// Spend $200+, get 15% off; Spend $500+, get 20% off; Spend $800+, get 25% off
DATE: 11/22-11/28
CODE: 11/22-11/28

Show Me Your Mumu
// 40% off dresses and rompers
DATE: 11/21-11/25

South Moon Under
// Extra 40% off sale
// Extra 20% off $150+

Steve Madden
// 30% off + 30% off clearance
DATE: 11/26
CODE: BACKINBLACK

// 35% off + 30% off clearance
DATE: 11/28
CODE: CYBER

The Outnet US
// Up to 90% off your favorite designers including Stella McCartney, Balmain & more

TOPSHOP
// Up to 50% off select items
DATE: 11/23-11/28

Trina Turk
// 30% Off Sitewide
DATE: 11/23-11/28

Tuckernuck
// 20% off with code: GIVE20
// 25% off $500+ with code: GIVE25
// 30% off $1,000+ with code: GIVE30
DATE: 11/25

Urban Outfitters
// Buy one get one 50% Off ALL apparel
DATE: 11/23-11/25

VSCO FILM (what I use to edit all my photos!)
// Get 25% off any film pack
Date: 11/25
CODE: VSBFCM

Wylie Grey
// 20% off site wide
Date: 11/28
CODE: thanksgiving20

Zimmermann
// All Summer Swim 2016 will be marked 30-50% off all styles
DATE: 11/25 – 12/11