Grey Dress + A Giveaway from Crazy & Co

For me, this has been the year of jewelry. I’ve let go of my prior dream of looking like someone out of a Tiffany’s catalogue and totally embraced this year’s jewelry trends… I fell in love with all-things-gold, learned to layer, tried midi rings, became obsessed with oversized pearls and developed a deep love for unique pieces.

My latest jewelry love includes this gorgeous necklace from Crazy & Co (owned by one of my fave local bloggers, Tanvi!) When I saw it, I immediately thought of all my favorite dessert-inspired pieces it would pair so perfectly with. I really love it with this chunky boyfriend cardi from Free People, but couldn’t help but throw it on when I did a little shopping in my mom’s closet last week. Coolest. Mom. Ever.

Since the holidays are upon us once again, Crazy & Co has offered to give away $50 towards their jewelry collection! Because gifting yourself something awesome this holiday season is totally a thing. Browse their website and let me know your fave piece in the comments and enter using Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

On Julien: Dress, Max Studio, borrowed. Jacket, Halogen. Boots, Impo Ochoa via DSW. Necklace, Crazy & Co c/o. Earrings and bracelet, Hanuel c/o. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)

All Buttoned Up

I love trying new things. 

The whole buttoned-up-all-the-way thing? Not something I thought I’d try. But I have to admit, I’m kind of digging this whole 18th century vibe.

Another trend I hadn’t really gotten into? Menswear. I feel like this outfit has a masculine feel with feminine touches, like the booties, frills, red lips and these adorable oversized pearl earrings. I probably should have worn my hair down straight, but pony tails are sooo easy! And for a busy day of meetings, store openings and an evening shoot, I couldn’t really let my hair get in the way.

Are you guys into the menswear trend? Boyfriend jeans, oversized coats? I actually really want to try to sport a bow tie - like, as a girl, how do you EVEN? But the bow ties my hubby got from Bull+Moose have me really wanting to find a way. 

On Julien: Suit jacket and top (old), Banana Republic. Sweater, Zara (similar.) Pants, Anthropologie (love these textured ones!) Purse, H&M (similar.) Earrings, Hanuel c/o. Watch, Swell Caroline c/o. Ring, Vrai & Oro c/o. Boots, Impo Ochoa via DSW. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)

A Walk in the Park

Living and working near DC has it’s ups and downs. And more often than not, I hear people focusing on the downs. The traffic is horrendous, the cost of living is  impossible and the politics alone is enough to drive someone mad.

But I’m not here to focus on the negative today. I’m changing my perspective.

I’m about mid-season of Orange Is The New Black (#obsessed), and in the last episode we watched, Heely, one of the guys in charge (sorry not good with titles) starts going to counseling, perhaps to glean insight on how to counsel inmates in the prison. He’s had anger issues in the past, but has decided to change his perspective. Instead of focusing on all the madness happening in the prison, he’s going to start looking on the bright side and try to making a difference to those inmates.

Truth be told, there aren’t many positive messages I can glean from this particular show (don’t sell drugs, rob banks or steal?), I really took Heely’s new outlook to heart.

I am changing the way I view this city. Sure it might be hot as you-know-where, but at least it’s not the unbearable winter we dealt with. And traffic might be a nightmare, but at least I have a job to commute to in the mornings. Cost of living might be ridiculous, but I’m so grateful to have the access to free museums in DC, wineries nearby and incredible friends who make the struggles of life worthwhile. 

Maybe living in the DC area can be, at times, a walk in the park after all.

On Julien: Skirt and blouse, Phillip Lim for Target (similar skirt on sale and blouse.) Blazer, Vince Camuto (similar here.) Purse, Danielle Nicole (black version on sale here!) Shoes, Kelly and Katie from DSW. Sunnies, Michael Kors. All jewelry, Rachelle Celine.

Chambray Glambray

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to join a fun creative event in D.C. called The Gathering Project (more on that later this week) where I'd learn how to make focaccia bread, paint ceramics and learn to make a signature berry crumble. I felt like I was in a BIT of a bind fashion-wise because I knew I didn't want to get flour all over one of my new dresses (I may or may not be a bit messy when cooking) and I was riding the metro thus seeking maximum comfort. But I also wanted to look chic because, well, DUH. 

So I did what I do best and threw on a chambray shirt. Paired with white shorts (to disguise the flour) and some dainty gold jewels from Rachelle Celine, it added just the bit of glam the occasion called for. 

On Julien: Chambray shirt, J. Crew Factory (love this sleeveless version.) Shorts, Banana Republic. Shoes, Crown Vintage from DSW. Purse, Danielle Nicole (black version on sale here.) Belt, Abercrombie & Fitch (similar here.) Sunnies, Michael Kors. All jewelry, c/o Rachelle Celine. 

Winery Hopping

If you know me, you know during the warm summer months, wine is a major food group. It’s served with our dinner parties, brought on picnics and enjoyed on our porch after a long day at work. If you can't find me on a Sunday afternoon, know that I'm probably at a winery.

A couple weeks ago, 20 of my best gal pals trekked out to Route 7 to visit the wineries with me! (And be trekked, I mean enjoyed a luxe bus ride from Reston Limousine - and to be honest, this is literally the best way to tour wineries that exists.) We each brought a picnic treat, frolicked among the vines and took more photos than my poor 2GB card could handle. See our adventures below at Stone Tower Winery (where all but the last photo were taken) and Hillsborough Winery (last photo), and do yourselves a favor and check these two faves next time you’re vineyard hopping.

On Julien: Dress, Gap (similar here.) Hat, American Apparel. Shoes, Crown Vintage via DSW. Belt, J.Crew Factory (similar here and this one is 40% off using code CLEANUP) Bracelets, J.Crew Factory (similar version here for 40% using code CLEANUP) Map necklace, c/o Three Jane NY. Long necklace (body chain used as necklace), Rachelle Celine. Bar necklace, She’s Unique. Blue ring, Julie Vos (similar here.) Midi rings, c/o Rachelle Celine. Sunnies, Michael Kors.