Happiness

I read something inspiring the other day and I wanted to share it with you…

It was all about how comparison steals our joy. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with this every day. Wanting the latest this or that, comparing Instagram followers, wanting to be bigger and smaller at the same time.

Don’t get me wrong - having goals is great, and there’s something magical about having well-made clothing that you truly love. But please, let’s stop tying those things to self-worth. YOU ARE WONDERFUL just the way you are. And just because something looks glossy on Instagram, doesn’t always mean that’s REALITY. Often times, it’s not.

So here’s to living your best life, your best day, your best moment now. Let's take note of the things we do have and let’s stop focusing on the things that are missing. Because only then can we find true happiness.

Wearing top via Anthom (almost identical from Cuyana), Lucky Brand jeans, Clare Vivier clutch, Sophie Blake bracelet, Matt Bernson leather sneakers (on sale!), red bandana

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Jet Lag

Happy Wednesday, friends! 

And by happy Wednesday, what I really mean to say is, HOW IS IT NOT FRIDAY YET-day. While I’m ever grateful for the shorter week, let’s be real - we all need a vacation after a long weekend.

Something that makes the workweek even more unbearable? JET LAG. 

Somehow I forget how awful it is every time I go on a trip across the coast. I learned after a trip to California a few years ago that the red eye is never, ever going to work for me. I always assume I’ll get tons of sleep on the plane, but I never do. I remember calling my boss after getting in at 6 AM that I was going to sleep for ‘just a few hours’ then come in. Ya - that didn’t happen. I slept until about 3 PM and had to use an extra vacation day. Major womps.

This time, we booked a mid-day flight out of San Francisco (a day early too!) so we could ease back into East Coast time. 

And yet, somehow it still feels like I’m dragging myself out of the dark unknown every time my alarm goes off at 6 AM. Why do my eyes hurt so badly? Why is it so hard to keep my eyes open? Why can’t I muster up the energy to do my hair? Thoughts of drifting to sleep consume me. HOW ON EARTH DO YOU DO IT, SARA?

But as I learn to accept the things I can not change, I’ve learned to just go with it. Because really, this won’t last forever. It’s only temporary - until next time.

Wearing Just Female skirt via Lynn Louisa, Halogen top (old), Veja sneakers via Anthom, Clare V clutch, vintage scarf, Oakley sunnies via Ditto (use ITSJULIEN for a free month!), MAC lipstick in Velvet Teddy.

Here Comes The Sun

This past weekend was one of the most glorious days of the year. After a week of clouds and rain (what ever happened to APRIL showers bring May flowers?!), we got a few beautiful glimpses of sunshine.

Let me tell you friends, I LIVE for the sunshine and warmth. If our families didn’t live on the east coast, I’d move to California in a heartbeat. People have started to take notice too - this past weekend, Shawn’s grandfather commented, “I’ve never seen someone love the sun so much.”

I’ll paint you a picture - it’s Saturday afternoon, post-picnic. Everyone is chatting inside, but not Julien. She’s sprawled out on the sofa by the pool. Her eyes are closed, but she’s smiling. All the glare, don’t care. She’s soaking up a winter’s worst of Vitamin D.

It was much like this day with my amazing friend, Erin. An unusually warm day a few weeks ago pulled me out of my office cube for a quick lunch with this babe. You can see it on my face - the happiness, the joy! The pure, unadulterated glee.

Not just the sun - but being around people who bring out the joy in you makes all the difference. Ever since we met, there’s just something magical - like we were sisters in a past life. 

Be sure to keep up with Erin and all her beautiful photos on Instagram.

Wearing Achro dress, Veja sneakers via Anthom, The Scarf Shop scarf c/o, Angela Roi handbag, Ray-Bans via Ditto (free month of rentals with code: ITSJULIEN), MAC lipstick in “Velvet Teddy”

Lou & Grey Sweater

I don’t know about you, but this week is going by SO SLOWLY for me! Maybe it’s the rainy days or the cold weather…but I’m not letting it rain on my parade. In one week, I’ll be on a plane heading for sunny Florida! I’ll be trading in my turtleneck for t-shirts and my scarves for a swimsuit. GOOD RIDDANCE.

But until I do, I had to share this shoot from my trip to New York. For a morning of trekking around SoHo (in search of the cutest cafes and the cobble stoniest streets) I wore my snuggliest sweater from Lou & Grey. They just opened a store in Tysons and it’ll give you ALL THE COZY FEELS, friends. I paired it with light-wash denim and my favorite tennies from Anthom.

I won’t bore you with how dreamy it was in New York (you can read that here), but I will let the photos do the talking. Can we talk about the light for a moment? It was like mid-morning (we got a late start because CHOOSING WHAT TO WEAR IS HARD, PEOPLE) and the light shone through the buildings as if it were sunrise. It had me feeling some kinda way.

Wearing Lou & Grey sweater (similar and LOVE this one!), denim, Veja sneakers from Anthom, Sophie Blake cuff and earrings (similar.)

Something about New York

Another fashion week season has come and gone…and while I spent most of the insanity-ridden hoopla comfortable in my PJs, I loved keeping up with all the shows through streaming and of course, Snapchat.

While all my friends were in the thick of it all, I was switching screens between watching the Tory Burch show online and on Kayak.com, planning an exit strategy from this unsightly weather we've been having.

But while I certainly didn’t miss running around in sub-zero temps in my very highest heels, I was bummed not to be there in person. Because to me, there’s nothing like New York.

A few months ago I had visited New York to see one of my favorite people in the world, Cheralee! While we were there, we ran around the city like madwomen, snapping photos, shopping and eating ALL. THE. FOOD. Not to be cheesy, but it was kind of this magical experience - I was inspired by every street we walked down, by the incredible flavors in each of the dishes we devoured, and by getting to work my creative side by taking photos all day long.

I wore a plethora of outfits during my trip, but I wore this Just Female dress to dinner at a delightful farm-to-table restaurant in West Village called Westville. I snagged it before my trip at Lynn Louisa, one of my very favorite shops in Georgetown. I paired it with this pretty plaid jacket from Lou & Grey at their new Tysons location (another one of my go-to’s for all the cozy goodies.) And because we’d be taking the subway and walking just about everywhere, I donned my favorite shoewear trend, sneakers!

There's just something about New York. I can't WAIT until my next trip...but due to unforseen allergic reactions to the cold, it may just have to wait. ;)

Wearing Just Female dress and K/LLER earrings from Lynn Louisa (my favorite little Georgetown boutique!) c/o, Lou & Grey jacket c/o (sold out, more cute jackets here!), Veja sneakers via Anthom, Vaska bag via Estiletta c/o, Sophie Blake ring and Ray Ban sunnies in black matte. Photos by Cheralee