Week in Review - Vol. 11

GUYS! It's FRIDAY! Which means only 8 hours until THE WEEKEND. I'm having all the feels. Can you tell?!

So many things this week. First, I'm sure you've seen all about the big Nordstrom sale happening so I'll go ahead and skip that since it's been plaguing all our feeds lately...also skipping because let's be real - I'm a terrible planner with a habit to impulse buy sooo ya.

But there is another awesome sale you may not have heard about. The M.Gemi Private Sale is also happening now through Monday! Let me take a moment and wax poetic about M.Gemi. First of all, they're handcrafted in Italy. HELLO, shoes that will last forever. Second, they're so comfortable and also insanely chic. I bought these last year during their private sale and wore them more than any other pumps in my closet (see them styled here with culottes, here for a night out and here for a classic work look!) I couldn't resist buying these perfect block-heeled booties, but fell in love with so many styles. I've listed them below so you can shop them right here:

Then later in the week, I helped host the 8th BloggerScene event with my fellow blogging babes, Natalie and Alicia! Lilly Pulitzer dressed us for the night and I wore this darling off-the-shoulder top with the softest white jeans you'll ever find. Of course, I had to add my signature bandana to finish the look. 

Erin Krespan shot the event and I can't wait to share the photos with you! More on BloggerScene coming soon! (And if you missed this event - don't worry! We will definitely be hosting more in the future!)

Then the next night (!!) I went to support my good friends, founders of Cocosand Swimwear, at DC Swim Week. SO MANY SWIMSUITS that need to be in my closet. You can still catch the show on Snapchat if you want to see! (@JULIENGARMAN)

I finished off the week with the happiest of hours with some of my friends at Eno Wine Bar. Have you been? It's the cutest little spot in Georgetown! 

After a pretty crazy week, I'm REALLY looking forward to winding down this weekend and doing a whole lot of nothing. Do you have any fun plans?!

Week in Review - Vol. 10

Coming back from vacation is rough. Sorry to be so ‘first world problems’ on ya, but jet lag is no joke, friends. 

A couple weeks ago, we spent 8 days in my favorite state, California. Then the following weekend I skipped down for a mini-vacation with one of my besties, Erin. I’m still on a high from both trips and can’t wait to share more about them on the blog.

Next week is the last week that the Cuyana pop-up will be in town! Be sure to check them out before July 31!

Also happening next week - I’m helping host the annual BloggerScene summer party! There will be AMAZING giveaways (including gift cards to a few of my favorite stores like Lynn Louisa, Sophie Blake and a classic leather tote from Cuyana!), plenty of Instagram’able spots since it’ll be on the Embassy Row Hotel rooftop, and a great panel of bloggers who will be sharing advice on how to grow your audience. Get your tickets here!

A few days ago, I visited the new Joie store in Tysons Galleria (aka Tysons II) and fell in love with EVERY SINGLE THING I tried on. Ended up with this pre-fall bohemian blouse. This is next on my hit list.

I got a little peek into the Banana Republic pre-fall shoe collection and I’m in love. I have these chic suede slingback heels and also these adorable fuchsia ones that I can’t wait to whip out for date night.

I got an email from a new handbag company, Two Charmed, made right here in Virginia! They just opened their online shop and their stuff is super cute. Really want this bag. 

Looking for a great dress to wear to an upcoming summer or fall wedding? I wrote a love story about pretty lace Ganni dress.

I finally made my way over to Vigilante Coffee shop in Hyattesville last weekend and YOU GUYS. The acai bowls are reason enough to visit. Coffee was amaze too, obvi. 

While there was a lot of exciting things going on this past week, I’m so heartbroken for what happened yesterday in Nice, France. If you’re the praying type, I hope you’ll join my in sending up all the prayers to France over the next few days.

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!

Week in Review - Vol. 7

I don’t know about you, but I’m already in weekend-land. Tomorrow, we’re heading down to Richmond to visit the Quirk Hotel and celebrate my sister-in-law’s birthday. I couldn’t be more excited!

Last weekend, we planted our garden (FINALLY NOW THAT SPRING IS BASICALLY OVER) and I may have done a little shopping on Sunday. I picked up a few really adorable pieces from Take 5 Boutique that I can’t wait to show you!

I posted all about my interview with Katherine Schwarzenegger earlier in the week and learned all about her favorite trends, why she's partnering with TJMAXX to tell the stories of Real Girls across the US on the #RoadToReal tour, and of course, where she loves to get coffee in DC.

Tuesday, we celebrated my mom’s birthday with a surprise happy hour at one of her favorite restaurants, Cooper’s Hawk. We invited a few of her closest friends and took MAJOR advantage of the tasty happy hour specials. 

I got this adorable boho dress in the mail from Banana Republic on Wednesday, so naturally, I wore it Thursday. I was ambivalent about the snakeskin print, but they made it work. SO WELL. 

I recapped the new Bluemercury store opening on the blog and included both Marla and Barry Beck’s skincare secrets! 

Photo by Jen Eun

Wednesday I got my Greenheart Juice fix! I visited their Georgetown shop located within Downdog yoga and drank ALL the strawberry milk (their beauty almond milk) and ate ALL the chia seed pudding. Have you visited their shop before?

Did you catch this insanely gorgeous Suno dress on the blog? I’m in love.

Thursday was eventful - I left my wallet at home (classic) but luckily, the people of the bus had grace on me and let me borrow some money. I had actually started to go back to my car once I realized I had left it in my yoga bag, but someone actually ran after me to let me know that they could help me out. YOU GUYS. Humanity.

Later in the day, I met up with one of my very best gal pals, Erin, and we romped around Georgetown eating Sweetgreen (where I thankfully had a gift card!) and taking photos. Best. Afternoon. Ever.

I’m gearing up for a super super, super fun weekend and I’m basically counting the hours until we leave (FYI - it’s 27 hours)

SO MANY GOOD THINGS are happening next week! I’m getting my hair done with the one, the only, Nadine Matar (!!!) then I’m hosting the Cuyana Le Sud Summer Party next Thursday! Hope to see you there!

Week in Review - Vol. 6

Phew - thank goodness for 4-day work weeks. I say we make this a habit, shall we? IF ONLY!

We spent last weekend in Orlando (see my weekend snaps here!) so getting back into the swing of things was hard. Luckily, there were lots of fun things I had planned for the week ahead!

Photo by Via Leah

Wednesday I met up my friend, Leah, for a little shopping trip in Georgetown. We grabbed a quick bite at Chaia then popped over to a few of my favorite local shops, Lynn Louisa! I picked up some sassy shorts that I can’t wait to show you soon!

Shopping at Lynn Louisa

Later that evening, I attended the opening of the new Blue Mercury shop in Cathedral Commons and got to meet the company’s founders, Marla and Barry Beck! I got some great skincare secrets that I’ll be sharing on the blog next week! In the meantime, be sure to check out their new location at Cathedral Commons at 3320 Wisconsin Ave., NW.

While at the Blue Mercury event, I snagged a few of my favorite products - their M-61 makeup remover (the best one I’ve tried so far!) and the Oribe Supershine Cream. Friends, it’s an investment, I know. But after using up my sample size version of this, I knew I had to go ALL IN. It’s the only way I survive the summer humidity and the winter static-hair syndrome.

Inspiring read of the week - this post by the Be. Bangles founder will make you realize you’re worth more than you give yourself credit for. 

This weekend will be ALL ABOUT the gardening. In case you didn’t know, I’m a little old lady at heart. We’ll be planting zucchini, summer squash, spinach, heirloom tomatoes, cilantro, thyme, basil, and more. As long as it doesn’t rain. 

Are you addicted to the farmer’s market? Then you won’t want to miss this post where I share my tips on how to make the most of your trip!