Fashion

Cognac & Blue

This hot and sweaty summer has called for the lightest of layers and I’ve been living in this black peplum top I snagged from Old Navy’s huge sale a couple months ago. I don’t normally wear strappy tanks unless I’m working out, but I’m patting myself on the back now for the good sense I had when I got this loose and light top, along with a couple of dresses from Target. My favorite is a simple royal blue dress with a pom pom trim that I’ve been wearing equally as much as my black tank. Everyone knows how much I love my black, white, and navy staples, but bright blue has taken over my neutral palette lately. It’s such a happy color that adds a nice pop against the black that I love oh so much. It also pairs extremely well with cognac, which just happens to be one of my favorite leather colors for boots and handbags.

You’ll be seeing me sporting cognac frequently this fall, including on my go-to tote and matching wallet from Fulla&Fayda’s new collection. My tote is the perfect size to transport all of the necessities with room to spare for a slim laptop, file folders, and a quickly made sandwich, which is a must for my busy schedule. It has an interior pocket for my cell phone and knick-knacks, and a zipper on top to keep everything in place. The matching wallet is perfect for a night out or a quick run to the grocery store, with an interior zip pocket and magnet closure on the flap. The bright blue Haibibi Collection fabric reminds me of a vibrant summer, but the cognac will transition it nicely into fall when I’m on those lovely walks around town (with less sweat involved). I can hear the leaves crunching beneath my feet already…

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Outfit Details

Old Navy Peplum Top
Stella&Dot Jewelry and Sunnies
Fulla&Fayda Wallet

Photos by Bryan Wallace

pssssst – website and more information for Fulla&Fayda coming soon! In the meantime, you can check out our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram!

Rainy Day Stripes

Happy third week of June! I seriously don’t know where summer came from, but it started with a bang and is here to stay for a while. (I don’t know about you, but I’m noticing a trend here with the start of new seasons). I know I know, summer doesn’t technically start until June 20, but 80-degree days and thick humidity is summer in my book.

We’ve had a few rainy days sprinkled in with our more well-loved sunny days, so I’ve been grabbing my trusty parka on the way out the door a lot lately. Out the door to where, you ask? Well, honestly no where super exciting, but you can imagine me running off to catch a flight to Paris or Iceland. I’m so happy I bought this thing a couple years ago from Zara – it’s relatively light so I can even wear it in warmer weather over a colorful blouse or stripey dress. Stripes on stripes seemed appropriate for a rainy day. Call me cliché.

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Outfit Details:

Zara Parka similar
Garnet Hill Striped Dress similar from GAP
Stella & Dot Clutch
Stella & Dot Necklace and Cuff

Photos by Bryan Wallace

Spring Chambray

You gotta love spring. It’s sunny and warm one minute and then it’s windy and cold the next. The tonic I prescribe for spring’s moodiness is a layered look that can adapt to quick weather changes. After watching the Liverpool game one Sunday morning at the Queen Vic (one of our favorite places to watch!), Bryan and I took a walk around my old H Street neighborhood.

I have (surprisingly) been sticking to the limited items of my capsule wardrobe, so mixing, matching, and layering in new ways is key. I have also been layering my simple gold Stella & Dot jewelry to ‘chic’ things up a bit since I’ve been trending toward casual looks lately. I layered my Target tee with a tried and true GAP chambray. I have to tell you, I picked up three of these tees from Target and they are the most comfortable tees I’ve ever worn. They were (and still are!) on sale, and you know I never pass up a good sale.

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Outfit details:

Target Tee on sale!
GAP Chambray similar
GAP Black Denim
GAP Lace-up Ballet Flats similar
Stella & Dot Crosby Hobo – Geo Tile on sale!
Stella & Dot Jewelry and Sunnies

Photos by Bryan Wallace

Neutral Natural

I feel like spring grabbed a hold of me with its gnarly (and not the ‘awesome’ kind) claws and didn’t let go. Somehow I’ve broken free and I’m finally settling back into my normal routine. On a more relaxed weekend before the 16 consecutive days of rain that we had in Virginia, B and I did one of our favorite things and walked from our Del Ray apartment to Old Town Alexandria for dinner. We have our favorite places for happy hour in the area, but we are always looking to try new places. Virtue Feed and Grain has been on the list for a little wile, so we finally gave it a try and were not disappointed. It was even mild enough to eat outside, so we got a double-dose of fresh air.

On days when there’s not a whole lot on the agenda, I like to throw my hair up in a messy bun and put on a comfy tee, leggings, and Keds. To “upscale” the look a little I throw on a blazer or jacket, like this neutral one from Zara, and a bright lip color. Tees and blazers are my go-to for almost every occasion – both work and play – which works because I can go from activity to activity without having to change. If there is anything I hate more than peanut butter, it’s having to put on more than one set of clothes per day. I know, I blaspheme. Please forgive me, just this once.

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Outfit details:

Zara Flowing Lapels Blazer in Sand
Zara Graphic Tee old
Zara Leggings
Stella & Dot Watch
Florentine Leather Clutch

Fringe Details

The leap from my last style post to this one is kind of crazy. Not too long ago we had snow on the ground and one-digit temperatures and now it’s literally 80 degrees outside and I’m not one ounce sorry about it. If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed that I cleaned out my closet to a capsule wardrobe in a valiant (I think) attempt to downsize and simplify my life. Having a wide selection of clothing choices can be satisfying and fun, but lately I’ve been feeling the endless options weighing me down instead of liberating my creativity. My new capsule system has also forced me – in the best way possible – to be creative in a different way: mixing and matching my limited selections to create a new outfit each day. Without getting too much into it (yet), I’m really enjoying my capsule wardrobe thus far, and I’m excited to switch out to my spring selections!

Among the best spring 2016 fashion trends – stripes, ballet flats, floral patterns, moto jackets, monochromatic white (all things I can get behind) – is fringe. Previously associated with western movies and 70’s boho-chic, fringe has made a comeback in almost every shape and form. Shoes, vests, bags, jewelry, you name it: they are going to have fringe this season. Last weekend I paired some fringe details with what I like to call “double denim,” more fondly known as a Canadian tuxedo, which is also trendy again (go figure). I kind of love the cyclical nature of fashion. If you hang onto those key pieces long enough, they are sure to come back in style.

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Outfit details:

Nordstrom Chambray similar
Fringe Vest similar at UO and Express
GAP 1969 Jeans
Audrey Brooke Suede Wedges similar at DSW, with fringe!
Stella & Dot Essential Fringe Necklace
Vintage Stachel

Photos taken by Bryan Wallace

Fuzzy Hat

I think spring is just around the corner (I better not have just jinxed it!), but winter had to rear its ugly head one last time a couple weeks ago. It was a beautiful snow, though, and B and I went out for a snow walk to Bon Vivant Cafe + Farm Market – one of our favorite local spots – for lunch. They have super fresh ingredients from local farms that go into delicious salads and sandwiches. I love their tuna salad, and Bryan swears by their Terragon Chicken Salad sandwich. So, so good.

Late in the winter season my mom stumbled upon a great sale at Restoration Hardware. She snagged some super plush towels, a faux fur hot water bottle sleeve, and this fuzzy hat. Because she’s the best mom ever, she decided I needed one of my own and I absolutely fell in love with it. It has flaps that can cover your ears from the cold or can be tied up neatly on top. It’s been a total life saver these last couple of blustery days. It’s so warm I would challenge winter to another Snowzilla, but I think I’ll concede this time. Winter, you win, but don’t get too comfortable – pastels, fringe, and florals are movin’ in!

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Outfit details:

Restoration Hardware Faux Fur Hat on sale!
Stella & Dot

Photos also taken by Bryan Wallace

My Cozy Valentine

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Bryan and I went back and forth on ideas, but we settled on a relaxing day at home (think: soccer on the tv, lounging in pajamas, Sugar Shack donuts, and a hot cup of coffee…) and went out for a low-key dinner at Kogiya, one of our favorite Korean BBQ restaurants.

Valentine’s Day in DC was absolutely freezing, so I wanted to wear the coziest thing in my closet to venture out of the house. I went to Target the previous day to get some things and spotted this faux sherpa vest among the racks of new stripe-y dresses and boho tops – it’s oh-so-soft, reversible, AND it was on sale.

It worked perfectly over a long sleeve blouse (and under a coat), but I’m even more excited to wear it as a transition piece into spring over a light leather jacket. Emphasis on light. And here we go: let the weeks-in-advance spring outfit planning begin.

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Outfit details:

Mossimo Vest from Target
Zara Blouse similar
Zara Trousers
Vintage Boots

Treat Yo Self

Love is in the air and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! B and I decided that we won’t be doing a gift exchange this year, and instead will just focus on each other with a date night, TBD. He’s away for a month-long training, but will be back for the long weekend and I’m pee-in-my pants excited. Okay, okay, I know it has only been a week, but what can I say? I love my man.

If you’re also not on the gift exchange train, I say hop onto the treat yo self express. I hosted a Stella & Dot trunk show last weekend with some of my favorite gals, and I am completely in love with the spring line. Blues, blushes, geometric patterns, and moroccan flair all have a shining moment in the new line, and there is truly something for everyone. What’s there not to love?

Xo,
Jackietara

P.S. Order by 2/8 for delivery by 2/14!

Mustard Memo

The snow is finally melting a week after the snow storm of the year. No more crazy commutes into work and fighting for a parking spot when I come home (can I get an “amen”). Thankfully, B and I were able to get out for a couple walks last weekend while the streets were still piled high with the white stuff. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ready for winter to end (I could kiss that groundhog!), but in the meantime I’m enjoying cozy layers and giant scarves, like this knit mustard number. It turns my winter frown upside down. Take note: winter can go, but the scarf can stay as long as it likes.

Outfit details:

Zara Scarf old
Quilted Top similar from Old Navy
Stella & Dot Turquoise Stone Ring and Bracelet
Stella & Dot Gilded Wrap Bracelet
Anthropologie Tote

Photos by Bryan Wallace

Winter Hues

If you’re reading this, congratulations! You survived the Jonas Winter Snowpocalypse (disclaimer: I wrote this on Friday afternoon as everything outside turned white). If you’re not an East Coast-er, you might at least be aware of the snowy weather we are experiencing over the weekend in Washington, D.C. I’m slightly jealous of anyone who is enjoying temperatures above 20 degrees, but I’m also grateful for a lazy weekend at home (let’s see if I’ll be saying that come Monday – hah!). I tend to get a case of cabin fever now and again, but I attempted to be proactive and lined up a bunch of activities for myself, i.e. Netflix.

January was off to a busy start in the event planning world. If you didn’t know it, approximately 43% of engagements happen over the holidays between November and January, with December holding the title of “most popular month to get engaged.” January isn’t quite over, but a slow February is just around the corner. Hopefully I can get there in 2 feet of snow…

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Outfit details:

H&M Dress similar
Miss Sixty Wool Coat
Anthropologie Hat
Gap Booties similar from Old Navy
Stella & Dot Chiara Necklace

Photos by Bryan Wallace

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