Little Victories

Over the past month, I’ve embarked on a clean eating journey. I haven’t talked about it much because I wasn’t sure if I’d see results or if it was felt like just another diet. So now that I’ve been doing it a month, I’m ready to share!

I just finished the 28 Day Challenge with the Fit Girls Guide. I started it because I know I needed to change the way I was eating. My coworker was trying Fit Girls, and I didn’t want to fork out the money for DVDs, shakes and food containers for other programs. I wanted something that made my life better and more convenient even. It was only $20 for the Fit Girls Guide PDF, which included meal plans (with adjustments), a workout plan and over 2 million girls encouraging each other on instagram. So I gave it a try.

YOU GUYS. This is going to sound immensely cheesy, but I feel like I’m finally becoming the best version of myself again. I’ve been following the workouts (most days oops!) and clean eating every day. And the food is so stinking good. Literally doesn’t even feel like I’m eating healthy. There’s pita pizzas, roasted veggies with brown rice bowls, pumpkin lasagna, I MEAN, SO MUCH YUMMY FOOD. 

Ok, this was totally not supposed to turn into a promo for this clean eating thing, but I had to let you in on the reason I’m wearing this dress. BECAUSE IT FINALLY FITS AGAIN! It’s been two years since I’ve fit comfortably into it. Shawn got it for my birthday yearsssss ago, and it’s been sitting in my closet after a few rough winters of eating crockpot mac and cheese on repeat.

So today, let’s celebrate little victories. Like dresses fitting once more and sunshine finally making its way back into our lives. Cheers!

On Julien: Dress, Anthropologie (old, but literally need every dress on their website!) Blazer, H&M (similar.) Shoes, Schutz via Lyst c/o. Bag, Cuero + Mor (sold out, but more gorgeous bags here!) c/o. Bracelet’s, Trina Turk, Hanuel c/o and Love Juliet c/o. Necklace, Rachelle Celine c/o. Knot ring, Hanuel c/o.

JEM scarf

Do you ever feel like you're sinking into an endless abyss every time you step into your closet? You have so much and yet nothing to wear? Story. Of. My Life.

One thing I've started to do when feeling overwhelmed in my closet is decide on one item I really want to wear. Just one. Simple enough. Then I work from there to complete the rest of the outfit. 

Picking today's outfit centered around this gorgeous JEM scarf. (I met the designer, Jen, at Crystal Couture last year and I've been obsessed with her work ever since!) From there, I knew I wanted to go with muted tones so I stuck with my trusty boyfriend cardigan from Free People, my comfiest black jeans, and my favorite Cuero+Mor bag. The thing I'm most excited about? The fact that it didn't take me three hours to put this together. (#success)

Do you have any tips on overcoming indecision when it comes to getting dressed? Share in the comments below!

On Julien: Scarf, JEM Collection c/o. Cardigan, Free People (Bethesda location) c/o. Shirt, J.Crew (old.) Hat, Jack Wills (similar on sale.) Jeans, NYDJ. Shoes, Tahari via Marshalls. Bag, Cuero & Mor c/o. Watch, Swell Caroline c/o. Wrap bracelet, J.Crew (old.) Sunnies, Michael Kors. Linking up with More Pieces of Me + On the Daily Express

Behind the Biz: Cuero and Mor

It's Julien is taking you behind the biz with one of my new favorite companies, Cuero&Mør. Learn more about what inspires founders, Maria Diaz and Pepe Romero, and enter to win $100 from their online shop below! (You can see how I styled one of their gorgeous bags here!)

Tell me about your background - what made you both interested in starting Cuero&Mør?
We are a couple focused on the aestethics and design. Since our childhood we both were really interested in making things with our own hands. Create a product that comes from natural and raw materials and transforming them into something with a specific function is what drives Cuero&Mør. We took completely different roads before getting here, and looking back every part of our life seems to make sense now. Maria went to medical school. This gave her an obsession to the small details, the value of treating organic materials and how to find the right balance on each part that compounds the whole design. I am an architect. Studied architecture, art and design. This gave me an strong connection with the functionality and shape. To me, every piece and shape needs to have a reason of why is included in the design. 

What inspired your latest collection?
This latest collection is seeking to go back to the essentials. We believe that beautiful materials should be treat with respect. We want our materials to speak by themselves, to age and change at the same time that the person who uses it. Clean lines and honesty will always be our main goal and this collection is all about that. 

What goes into making one of your handmade bags?
Our products are cut and assembled by us for every customer in our studio in Los Angeles. 
This is the reason why every piece is unique, we control every stitch, every rivet, every second of the production process. And that is exactly how we want it to be.

How do you choose the materials you use?
Before we choose the material we think on what we would like people to feel when they use one of our pieces. With the selection of the right material, texture and color, you can achieve totally different states of feelings.

Who is the kind of woman or man who carries your handmade products?
People like us, that is looking to find elegant and unique products to add in their everyday life.
Our pieces will change with them, will mold to them and will acquire their own character. 

Check out Cuero&Mør's website and enter to win $100 to their online shop below (this bag is at the top of my wish list!) Prices range from $35-$420. All bags are handmade in Los Angeles. Use code ITSJULIEN for 15% off until Nov. 1!