Christmas

Gift a Little Sparkle

If you’re anything like me this time of year, you’re anxiously waiting for online orders to come in the mail and still thinking of cute and clever ways to wrap presents… with Christmas only 2 days away. Luckily, we can count on Stella & Dot for our last-minute shopping needs, so we can gift a little sparkle this season (even if we are a tad bit behind)!

Stella & Dot has a gift for everyone on your list, and is promising delivery by December 24th for all orders placed today! To make things even easier, I put together a little Stella & Dot gift guide while you shop stelladot.com/jackietara for all the amazing ladies on your list:

For the edgy trend-setter:
Pave Sphinx Ring
Rebel Pendant
Renegade Cluster Bracelet

For the classic beauty:
Frances Pearl Statement Necklace
Signature Engravable Disc Necklace
Deja Vu Pearl Studs

For the boho babe:
Sahara Pendant Necklace
Union Square Scarf
Aria Cuff

For the dancing queen:
Starburst Ear Jackets
Madison Tech Wallet
Deco Cocktail Ring

For the jet-setter:
Hang On Travel Case
The Getaway Bag
Icon Convertible Watch

Happy Shopping!

Xo,
Jackietara

Photography by Paul B. Jones

Oh, Christmas Tree & Family

In addition to all of my 2014 goals, I also feel the need to majorly prioritize time with my family this year. My younger sister, Natalie, is heading to Senegal, Africa at the beginning of March for a 2-year service with the Peace Corps. I admire her adventurous spirit and dedication to fulfilling her goal of pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a foreign country, but I am going to miss her terribly while she is gone. My younger brother is a Sophomore in high school and is quickly growing up: in two more years and he will be off to college pursuing his dreams as well. I also have an amazing mother, who will soon be an empty-nester, so now is the time to take full advantage of the time we have all together.

A few days before Christmas, our family was able to visit Oak Shade Farm in Rixeyville, Virginia to pick out and chop down our own tree. This has been a tradition of ours for the past couple of years, and I was so glad we could do it again this year! We lucked out with some magical 70 degree weather that day, perfect for spending the day on a farm looking at trees, drinking warm cider, and cuddling with the most adorable 3-week old bunnies.

The truth is that everything is moving too fast and there’s not enough time to take it all in. It’s these moments that I will cherish now, and forever.

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

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!