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. 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!

Ksenia Schnaider // When You Know

When you know, you know.

That’s how I felt when I was picking out my wedding dress years ago. I’d had this idea in my head of what I wanted, what I KNEW would look killer on me. It would be long and a-line…but have a few intricate details to make it stand out - lace or a bit of tulle…but not cheesy. Romantic, whimsical…so when I tried on the A-line gown with a tulle, sweetheart neckline with a flowing skirt that had pretty tulle flowers, I knew it was the one.

I felt that way when I first spotted this dress on The Odivo website. The shape, the length, the colors…I knew it would be the prettiest dress ever. And I was right.

I love who I become in this dress. All of a sudden, I’m smiling at strangers and twirling down the sidewalk. I’m sitting at the edge of a water fountain at CityCenter, drawing hearts in the water. I’m a whirlwind of color (which is not usually the case for me!) When color is done right, I can’t help but want to wear it to death! The full skirt and high waist add just the right touch of girliness while the high neckline and vibrant color palette add the perfect amount of modern elegance.

So I’d like to make a toast - to Ksenia Schnaider, you brilliant woman, you! This dress has given me hope in color once again and I owe you everything for making me feel the way I do in this dress. And to The Odivo, you smart cookies. The brands you carry and the way you promote them give me all the happy feels. I can feel your passion through the interwebs. And lastly, my dear friend, Jen, who always captures moments so perfectly.

Wearing Ksenia Schnaider dress via The Odivo c/o (sold out but this shorter version is identical!) Finders Keepers pumps (similar), Sophie Blake cuff

Alexis Skirt

Ever since I cleaned out my closet last month and sold half of my clothes to ThredUp (a chic consignment website that I'm mildly obsessed with - use this link for $10 off your first order!), I’ve been aching to fill it back up. Here’s the thing, I’m into beauty and art. In all forms. Whether it’s finding the perfect shade of lipstick, nailing the milkmaid braid or discovering a local artist whose paintings brighten my day or photographing another blogger during the golden hour…art is everything to me. 

And because I’m so driven by beauty and art, I let my emotions do the shopping. I want to FEEL good in an outfit and I want to experience joy when I wear it. That’s why I’m not into super tight skinny jeans. And that’s why I don’t wear 5 inch heels. 

Where I’m going with this post, even I don’t know…but I do know that I experienced that same butterfly-in-my-stomach joy when I spotted this skirt. It’s by the brand, Alexis, which carries ultra-feminine pieces like embroidered crop tops (I know the Bible says ‘thou shalt not covet’ but I am coveting big time over this top big time!) delicate, lace skirts and ruffled white dresses. It’s bohemian heaven. ::Insert all the heart emojis::

So yes, sometimes (*cough* always *cough*) I shop purely based on emotion. Can I wear it to work? No. Can I wear it to the park? No. But will I look like a rockstar when I finally get the chance to wear it? I’d like to think so. ;)

On Julien: Skirt, Alexis (similar.) Top, vintage. Mules, J.Crew (on sale!) Ring, Samantha Wills. Bracelet and earrings, Hanuel.