Fashion

Aqua + Gold

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season with family and friends, and for those of you who celebrate it, I hope you had a very merry Christmas! Between the boisterous game nights, delicious meals, services, singing, and cocktail drinking, T and I were able to escape for a couple peaceful hours at the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in Northeast D.C. It’s a hidden gem on the other side of the National Arboretum [both just minutes from our apartment] in Anacostia. You would never know it’s there… and unfortunately I think a lot of people don’t. We visited on a Thursday afternoon and the entire park was empty, save for a few mallards splashing in the ponds and a couple of frisky doe romping in the woods.

It was absolutely gorgeous out. We didn’t need coats and I was glad to get outside for some fresh air in this little pocketed sanctuary of the city. T and I were heading to his brother’s holiday party later that evening, so I was already dressed in a new gold lace cocktail dress with an aqua cardigan for a pop of color. I’ve been legitimately obsessed with this color palette this season – I even wrapped all my gifts in gold paper with aqua and neutral rafia and ribbon!

Wearing: gold lace dress: ModCloth // aqua cardigan: Express // gold necklace: ModCloth

Photography by Teddy Wolff

I can’t wait for New Year’s Eve to break out some more gold… and maybe a little sparkle too!

Jackietara

Layers of Comfort

It is getting pretty darn chilly in this neck of the woods. D.C. has already experienced it’s first “real” snow storm this year, and it’s not even January! It was only a couple inches, but enough to shut down schools for two days and to give me a snow day away from the office. December is a crazy time of year. It’s holiday party after holiday party, leaving me in a daze of splendor, excitement, and exhaustion all mixed together. I do love it though: the garlands, wreathes, sparkling lights, and happy guests enjoying time with colleagues and friends lift my spirits on long work days that quickly turn into work nights. And repeat.

My lack of sleep and desire to stay warm frequently results in those days when all you want to wear is all of your least form fitting clothes, a style I have deemed “grandpa chic.” There’s just something so cozy and comforting about throwing on your significant other’s most loved sweater, a vintage jacket, a warm pair of pants, and boots. It’s hard to justify wearing anything else!

Wearing: denim collared button down: Madewell // men’s knit sweater: Express // vintage jacket: Liz Claiborne // mustard pants: Anthropologie // bib necklace: Eastern Market vendor // hat: Gap

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Leather + Fur

Recently I’ve seen two of my favorite things, faux fur and leather, being paired together. D.C. has been dull, grey, and misty in the last couple of weeks, so extra layers this time of year is a plus! I’ve also been purposefully mixing in bright colors lately with my standard black and grey wardrobe. It’s so easy to dress drably in this damp, cold, and depressing weather, so keep a few brights from your summer/fall wardrobe handy! These layers were perfect for a walk around downtown Annapolis – the sun never made an appearance, but I was plenty warm. Unfortunately, I don’t think the weather is getting any warmer, but thankfully there are plenty of cozy ways to help me cope.

Wearing: leather jacket: Zara // faux fur vest: Costco // scarf: Target // purple leather bag: Kate Spade

Photography also by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

A Tartan Thanksgiving

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was lucky enough to take a little vacation and disconnect from the city life with Teddy’s family in Bethany Beach. We rented a house in a golfing community, so we were surrounded by lots of greenery and trees, and had plenty of outdoor activities to keep us busy. T was able to play tennis with his family while I could jog around the community. It was cold outside, but the sun made it perfect running weather. Sometimes I can’t believe how quickly running has become part of my weekly routine. I get disappointed when I miss running club on Tuesdays for evening events and I actually wanted to go running in the cold… while on vacation!

Thanksgiving day was absolutely beautiful, which was magnified by the calmness and happiness of being with family in a new place. We had lots of great food, contributed by several members of the family [T and I made our famous goat cheese mashed potatoes], and wine, and once the meal was over, we sat around the table playing board and card games. It really couldn’t have been any better.

Wearing: tartan dress: ModCloth // short cognac boots: Frye

Photos by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

I {heart} Vintage

With ever evolving fashion trends, it’s nice to know that there will always be classic pieces to fall back on. I have always had a flare for styling vintage pieces and it helps that most of them came from my mother’s 60’s and 70’s wardrobe. In addition to my mom’s fantastic clothes and collecting a few things of my own along the way, I have also received some great vintage pieces as gifts. My sister gave me this lovely camel jacket from a thrift shop two years ago, which is still a trendy color and the perfect complement to white lace. The thing to remember is, you don’t have to completely redo your wardrobe every time the next big thing is in style. Try mixing some vintage in with the modern and you can accomplish the same [or an even better] unique look.

Wearing: maroon pants: Zara // white lace top: Loehmann’s // camel jacket: vintage // ruby heart necklace: vintage // diamond heart necklace: vintage

Photography by Teddy Wolff

My [P]inspiration

Jackietara

Sweater Weather

It’s finally here! Sweater weather is here! I’ve been arguing [more like bantering] back and forth with T all week about how chilly it’s been. He went to college in Minnesota, so “chilly” for him isn’t until it’s 30 degrees outside. Nevertheless, it’s been chilly enough for me to pull out the sweaters. Inspired by a new trend I’ve been seeing lately [recently well captured on the A Piece of Toast blog], I decided to pair a cable knit sweater with a flowy skirt. I did say you would be seeing me in more cozy knits this season!

Thankfully T is a sweater ~~hoarder~~ lover, so I’m the lucky girl who gets to borrow them from his closet. If you want to try this trend too, I would stick with a mid-thigh length skirt that has volume, so it peeks out nicely from under your sweater. Keep either the sweater or skirt neutral so you can play up one or the other with a bright color or pattern. I got tons of [I must say, unexpected] complements on this outfit, which is reassurance for me to continue to take risks with my style. Where is the fun in wearing the same old thing every day?!

Wearing: sweater: Old Navy [stolen from T’s closet] // blue collared shirt: Zara // skirt: Michael Kors from Loehmann’s // necklace: Stella & Dot

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Friday Fancies

It’s Friday, and the first day of November! Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving is around the corner, with lots of events, parties, rehearsals, and family gatherings in-between. I have had my eye on a few staple pieces to get me through to December that would also make great holiday gifts! And I have always said that a great gift is something you would like to get yourself, too.

1: Stella & Dot Zora Crystal Necklace // 2: Marc Jacobs “Blade” Chrono Watch // 3: Steve Madden Legacy Boots in Taupe Suede [currently on sale!] // 4: Black and White Striped Blouse [TJ Maxx has them for under $40] // 5: Stella & Dot Pyramid Studs // 6: Stella & Dot Madison Tech Bag in Poppy

Jackietara

Street Chic

Heading out for my friend’s surprise birthday party, I realized I was wearing an entire outfit by Zara [minus my boots]. Zara’s basics, that come in almost every color, are the perfect essentials for fall layering and solids go a long way when the right colors are paired together. On my most recent shopping trip to Georgetown, I saw this mustard knit scarf hanging amongst a collection of cozy wraps and scarves and it called out to me. Mustard is a nice complement to classic navy and gray pieces and pops against bright colors, like a red blouse.

Wearing: moto jacket, red blouse, mustard knit scarf, black pants: Zara // brown suede boots: Franco Sarto from DSW

Photography by Teddy Wolff

I can’t wait to cozy up in more knit layers: I think the city streets will see me in many over-sized sweaters and chunky scarves this season!

Jackietara

Sunsets and Alleyways

I can’t believe how quickly the sun is setting already! A couple days into October and a chill is lingering in the air as the sun sneaks behind the neighborhood houses. It’s always a little bit of struggle to dress for this in-between weather [not warm enough for short sleeves, but not cool enough for a jacket or heavy scarf], so my go-to is a button down with a cozy sweater layered on top. I’m eager for autumn’s greens, mustard yellows, and coppers, but I’m reluctant to let go of summer’s bright color palette. Pairing a bright coral cardi with a black and white gingham shirt is a nice compromise.

I am also incredibly excited to again be wearing my black short boots that I bought last year for $5.00 from H Street Playhouse’s closing sale. T and I were sad to see the playhouse close only a few weeks after we moved into our new apartment a couple blocks away, but it was neat to see all of their props from various plays over the years, including this pair of boots which happened to fit me perfectly. It’s like wearing a little piece of history.

Wearing: gingham button down: Old Navy [old] // coral sweater: Madewell // gold coral necklace: ModCloth // black pants: Zara // black boots: thrifted

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Chambray, Summer to Fall

On my drive to work leaves are shifting from green to orange, kids are back in school, and pumpkin flavored everything is already popular again. It’s time for fall fashion. For those of you a little less eager to shed your summer garb, here is one of my favorite ways to ease through the transition… layering!

Since chambray shirts are still in [thank god], I will be using this piece to layer my favorite summer-time dresses. Adding a thin pair of stockings or leggings and pulling on a pair of comfy boots is another great way to get the most of your floral shirts, pleated skirts, and bright colored garments from the summer.