Diner en Blanc x Rent the Runway

• SHOP & RENT THE POST •

Wearing Alexis dress, Kate Spade bracelet, and Slate & Willow earrings via Rent the Runway, Lucky Brand heels (similar on major sale), Jeffrey Levinson clutch

Summer has semi-officially come to an end, but before it did, we got to celebrate it with a night in all-white for Diner en Blanc.

If you haven’t heard of Diner en Blanc, it started with one man in Paris who wanted to have a dinner party, but his apartment was too small. So he told his friends to meet in a park later that night and to wear all white, so they could all find each other easily. 

Thus started the tradition of Diner en Blanc, the world’s largest secret dinner party. It started in Paris, but continues all across the world. Everyone has continued the strict all-white outfit requirement and invitations are scarcely released…but if you signed up, and get that lucky invite, don’t hesitate! It’s worth all the crazy requirements, trust me.

This is DC’s third year celebrating the event. I attended last year with my friend Bree and this year, and this year, with my very first blogging friend, Alicia! 

My first stop after booking our tickets was Rent the Runway. First, I visited online to I could browse a few styles, then I made an appointment in-store to try on a few! If we're besties on instagram, you may have seen a few of the top contenders - but this Alexis beauty one won by a landslide!

I mentioned this last year, but I can’t express enough how great their “Try-on Appointment” is. Honestly, worth every penny. I had Sam from the Georgetown location help me out, and she was THE BEST. Not only does she have impeccable style herself, but she was honest about which dresses looked best on me, and reminded me of things I would have never considered…like the movability, breathability and ideas on the perfect accessories. 

So when the day came for the event, I was ready. We gathered our picnics, and headed to our pre-determined meeting location…still unknowing of where we’d be dining that evening. But once our group arrived, we all started the 10-block walk to our surprise destination. Once we arrived, we all set up our picnics with some of the nation’s most incredible views of the Lincoln Memorial!

We mingled with new friends, enjoyed our meals, snapped a thousand (or so) photos, walked around the Lincoln Memorial barefoot after dark (HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS, FRIENDS) and danced the night away…the perfect way to end a very successful summer.

I’ll leave you with a few important tips about Diner en Blanc:

1. Wear a comfortable, danceable dress.
This Alexis beauty was not only flattering, but also super comfortable. It was stretchy and long enough that I didn’t have to worry about it moving around in unwelcome ways if you get my drift.

2. Pack the night before
I laid out my clothing and packed up the plates, table cloth and glasses the night before. No last-minute trying to find the items we’d need this year, no siree.

2. Carry your items in a mobile folding cart
Last year we tried to carry our stuff in a cute picnic basket. NOT THIS YEAR, FRIENDS. One long trip on the metro carrying ALL OUR STUFF followed by a a treacherous walk to the destination convinced me that there had to be a better way. So I bought this mobile folding cart and the trip was seamless. 

4. Pack a light meal
Last year, we loaded up on the carbs…but this year, we kept things much more simple…for carrying purposes and also to make sure we weren’t too stuffed for dancing. ;) I made a whole-wheat angel hair pasta with zucchini and a ricotta cheese spread, while Alicia brought strawberries, grapes, cheese and a baguette. 

5. Order boxed flowers
I can’t tell you how many times I watched someone drop their vase of flowers, or pull out a broken vase from their bag at the event last year. LESSON LEARNED. So I brought two boxes of white roses from my friends over at The Flower Luxe, and shared one box with a couple who’d broken theirs...

6. Ladies, pack flats.
One thing to not forget? A pair of flats or sandals for walking to the dining location and for dancing. YOUR FEET WILL THANK YOU.

7. Have a safe way to get home post-party
Friends, you know as well as I that wine can catch up to you faster than a cheetah after a gazelle. BE SAFE and have a plan to get home that doesn’t involve driving.

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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!

Featured: Made in the District

Happy Monday, friends!! It's been cold and rainy here lately in DC, but there's no raining on my parade today! I'm SO super excited to share that I was featured in Made in the District in collaboration with Street Meet DC! I got to work with Brittany Cummings Photography, who was not only wildly talented, but such a sweetheart too! If you're ever looking to do a fun street style shoot, give Brittany a call!

Anyway - check out a few of my favorite shots below and see the feature and interview here to find out who my first style icon was and my favorite fashion trend of all time!

Wearing Alice + Olivia pants, Lemon sweater, Erika Schrieber vest, Sophie Blake necklace and bracelet, Maison Martin Margiella boots (similar.)

Neutral Territory

I’ve really been into neutrals lately. I always used to say that I’d wear a pop of pink or a statement color jacket - keep the bright summer vibes going all winter long. But then, the cold weather comes and all I want to wear are neutrals. Greys, blacks, ivory, whites, browns. I just feel like it’s so sophisticated you know? Classic lines, less is more, all that jazz.

I love each piece of this outfit so much that I’m going to just briefly tell you about each. 

These white pants from Intermix? Wore them to meet Christian Siriano at the Rent the Runway grand opening in Georgetown. Oh, and the price? Down from $250 to JUST $48.30. I’m not lying. Go see for yourself.

This Dora Landa top is going to be my go-to for anything where I need to look good. The leather details are so so great and it’s incredibly flattering. Silk tops are my new favorite thing. 

This trench. Where to even start with this?! Definitely one of my favorite wardrobe staples of all time. It was made in Spain and I snagged it at Estiletta a few weeks ago. It’s on repeat, obviously. 

Also big shout out to Tammy for meeting me really early (thus messy hair and grouchy expression haha) to take photos on the coldest day of the year. It’s so cold, I’m wearing leggings under these trousers. No lie. Tammy, I love you.

On Julien: Top, Dora Landa c/o (white version.) Pants, Intermix (on major sale.) Trench coat, Ifeelnut via Estiletta. Shoes, J.Crew Factory. Earrings, Hanuel c/o. Cuff, Love Juliet c/o. Shades, Michael Kors.