Boyfriend Cardigan

I've had my eye on this sweater for a while now. The coziness, the slouchiness, it's like it was begging me to wear it. There was just one problem. It's on the right side of the closet - my husband's side.

One day, I casually mentioned wanting to use the sweater for a shoot. Let's just say he wasn’t wild about the idea. I can't really blame him - I’m the messy, spill-stuff-all-over-myself type. Knowing that it’s one of his favorites, I had to be very sneaky about wearing it.

Before running out the door one morning (as one usually does), I threw on my peacoat over the sweater, buttoned it up all the way and gave the hubs a quick kiss goodbye. I had succeeded! Until, that is, when I came home and completely forgot about my brilliant plan. But I wasn’t even sorry. The heart wants what the heart wants.

For a day at the office, I tucked in the sweater (just in the front) and paired it with my favorite Achro crop top from Anthom (which you totally saw earlier this week but I’m not even sorry.) Here’s the truth - I dress and shop based on emotions…Not what always matches or goes by conventional rules. I wear what makes me happy. 

And this outfit makes me very happy.

On Julien: Cardigan, Banana Republic (men's, similar.) Top, Achro via Anthom. Pants, unknown. Shoes, Call It Spring (borrowed.) Map necklace, Three Jane NY c/o (now sold at A.JAFFE) Stars necklace, Gorjana via Rocksbox (get a free month subscription using code julienxoxo.)

Photos by Meaghan

Pink Vibes

This past weekend, the hubs and I went to Ocean City! I never thought I’d return after my bachelorette party three years ago (Feagar’s Island scavenger hunt and all.) But when my aunt invited us on an all expense paid marriage retreat? How could I say no?!

People often have the misconception that marriage conferences are just for those who’ve lost their spark and are trying to rekindle their marriages. Honestly, I almost didn’t post about attending because I was afraid of people seeing it that way. The truth is, I have an incredibly fulfilling and awesome relationship with my husband. I love him to the moon and back a thousand times. But I'm a big proponent of always improving. And the point of going to any marriage conference isn't always to rebuild some lost connection, it's to prevent a lost connection from happening.

I wore this blush jacket on our first day of meetings. Although my husband isn’t really a fan of ‘work wear worn casually,’ he loved the all the romantic pink tones. I saw Song of Style wear a similar blazer and could’t help but try it on for size. I paired it with my favorite pink clutch from K.Slademade and switched out the matching tassel for this super fun one from Tassels by Sarah (who is local, BTW!) As I start prepping for the beach in a few weeks, I can’t help but get excited about warm weather and brighter colors! Sunshine, here I come!

On Julien: Blush jacket, LOFT (old, similar) T-shirt, Halogen. Jeans, 7FAM c/o Piperlime. Pumps, J.Crew. Clutch, K.Slademade (sold out, see more clutches.) Tassel, Tassels by Sarah c/o. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.) Necklace, Three Jane NY c/o (now sold at A.JAFFE)

Garden Party Maxi

Even though it's hot as Hades in the DC area, I feel like summer is slowly coming to an end. Maybe it's a mental thing, like me trying to prepare myself for the frigid winter ahead and letting summer down easy is the only way I'll cope. Maybe it's the Fall fashion I simply can't get enough of. Or maybe it's simply the fact that I STILL haven't been to the beach yet (where are you, Labor Day?!)

Around this time, I'll typically start spending less on the summer dresses I adore and start saving up for that Fall jacket I've been craving. So when I found this super gorgeous dress on SheInside, I was ecstatic to know I didn't have to choose - I could have both!

When I got this dress in the mail, I almost cried happy tears. It's absolutely the ideal dress for the imaginary garden party I'm dying to attend, and also the perfect summer send off dress when I head to Florida for Labor Day weekend. AND it's only $20.99. Cue major happy dance, people.

On Julien: Dress, c/o SheInside. Turquoise cardigan, J.Crew (similar - get an extra 50% off using code TREAT!) Clutch, K.Slademade. Sandals, handmade in Positano. Necklace, c/o Three Jane NY. Earrings, Julie Vos. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar.)

Patriotic

This past Fourth of July, we ventured deep into the city for a picnic barbecue at a friend’s home in DC. I’ve had this dress hanging in my closet since I wore it to a Great Gatsby party last year and was determined to get more wear out of it. I paired it with a pretty scarf I found thrifting a few weeks ago and some of my favorite festive jewelry from Swell Caroline, Lilly Pulitzer and Three Jane NY. Even though I was a bit overdressed for my friend’s afternoon barbecue, it was just right for hitting up a few spots in Georgetown after the fireworks ended.

Come fall, I think this dress would look great with a sleek leather jacket and short booties, but I’d love to get a few more wears out of it this summer. How would you still this pretty little thang?

On Julien: Dress, LOFT (similar here.) Shoes, J.CREW Factory (on sale!) Scarf, thrifted (similar here.) Link bracelet, c/o Swell Caroline. Nautical bangle, Lilly Pulitzer. Necklace, Three Jane NY. Bag, Longchamp. Sunnies, Kate Spade (similar here.) Lipstick, Smashbox "Infrared" Matte.

50 Shades of Beige

I love bright colors - the brighter the better. But look in my closet? Blacks, navys, whites, off-whites, more shades of white and brown. Of course, I have splatters of pink and purple, but the majority are neutrals. So one day, I decided to put on all the beige things for work and VIOLA! The result is as follows.

Photos by Amanda

On Julien: Blazer, Banana Republic (similar sleeveless version here.) Blouse, J. CREW (similar here.) Pants, Ann Taylor LOFT. Shoes, Kelly and Katie from DSW. Bracelet, unknown (similar here.) Long necklace (body chain used as a necklace), Rachelle Celine. Map necklace, c/o Three Jane NY. Bar necklace and earrings, She’s Unique. Midi rings, c/o Rachelle Celine. Sunnies, Kate Spade (borrowed from Amanda.)