The weekend before Halloween, Bryan and I took a little road trip to Raleigh, NC to celebrate his 30th birthday. All he wanted was to eat amazing barbecue and sample beer from breweries along our journey, which is just what we did!
Gap
Black, White, and Chambray
Ever notice that when you’re not feeling 100 you don’t deviate as much from the norm? I usually put on my most comfortable clothes and eat comfort food that doesn’t take a lot of effort. That’s how I’m feeling now about this in-between time, where winter’s cold grip is slowly letting go and the sunshine of spring is just creeping in.
I’ve been gravitating toward neutrals and my go-to layers, like my trusty chambray, black jeans, comfortable scarves, and boots that will get me anywhere.
I’m also in the in-between with my professional life – switching from one career to another – which is amplifying my antsiness. I’ve heard that experiencing change is what pushes us to be better and do better, but I just can’t wait to get back into a healthy routine.
In the meantime, I’ll be working on my patience and finding comfort in the things I love most.
Wearing: D.Jeans, Rubbish chambray, Madewell scarf, Fulla&Fayda wallet, and GAP chelsea booties (on sale!) // Photos taken by Bryan Wallace
Comfy in Nike Sneaks
I think we are all ready for spring right about now, but in the meantime I’m happy to stay comfy and cozy – my two favorite words this time of year – both indoors and out.
Ever since I switched jobs and we added Luna to our family last fall, my exercise routine [oh heck, my whole life routine!] has completely flipped upside down. I used to be an avid Bar Method goer, taking class 3-4 days per week before work in Tysons, but with shifted work hours and a pup at home I’m lucky to visit the studio once a week. Now, between classes, my exercise mainly consists of long walks with Luna.
I really can’t complain about my new “routine”: I get a little workout in while enjoying the outdoors and spending time with my favorite pooch. I actually look forward to our morning walks because I can just live in the present for a solid 30 minutes, disconnected from my phone, which I leave at home.
Because the amount of time I spend walking has increased, I was desperately in need of a footwear upgrade and found the perfect neutral Nike sneaks at DSW. Now my feet can be as comfy as the rest of me [I’m LOVING this GAP sweater], and be a little fashionable too!
Wearing: Vince Camuto leggings, GAP sweater (on sale in “cream”!), and Nike Sneaks // Photos taken 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
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
Rose Gold and Blue
Happy New Year! Well, almost. I can’t believe tomorrow is the last day of 2015, a year full of creativity, discovery, and love. Bryan and I are hosting a NYE party tomorrow night and we are in the midst of decorating and preparing for our dearest friends to arrive and make our house warm. Whether you are out celebrating at your favorite bar or gathered at a friend’s house, I wish you a happy new year sprinkled with bliss, laughter, and amazing memories (I know, cheesy, but I’m feeling all of the feels today.) Here’s to a fabulous 2016!
Xo,
Jackietara
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Outfit details:
GAP Sweater similar from Old Navy on sale!
Zara Parka similar on sale!
Vintage Satchel
GAP Ballet Flats
Stella & Dot Birdie Necklace
Stella & Dot Watch
Stella & Dot Pave Triangle Cuff
Stella & Dot Pearl Spike Cuff and Ring
Photography by Bryan Wallace
These Boots Were Made for Walking [Around Town]
B and I took advantage of a rare day off mid-week and took a nice walk around our neighborhood. It was a beautiful fall day, one with an endless clear blue sky and crisp newly fallen leaves crunching beneath our feet. We didn’t have a plan and ended up wandering and walking nearly 5 miles around town.
Needless to say, we stopped for happy hour in Old Town, Alexandria to fuel our trek home. I was glad that I decided to wear these over the knee boots instead of a heeled pair. They are super comfy, add a touch of extra warmth with the height, and the purple suede adds a nice pop of color. The perfect boots for a perfect afternoon… a perfectly unplanned pair.
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Outfit details:
Unisa Gillean Over The Knee Boot
GAP Plaid Button-Down similar
Coach Crossbody similar
Stella & Dot Plume Necklace 25% off until Sunday!
Stella & Dot Icon-Convertible Watch
Stella & Dot Maylee Ring
Indigo Girl
This time of year is all about layering and stretching your summer essentials through the first chilly months of the year by adding a couple key pieces. During the summer I’m all about simplicity, avoiding heavy synthetic materials and wearing durable cottons like this white and indigo tunic from World Market.
I’m not going to lie, as much as I love “creating a new wardrobe” by experimenting with different combinations of my existing pieces, layering summer staples also comes from a necessity to stick to the budget (I know, womp womp). Fall is my favorite season – for many reasons, but very much so for the fashion trends – so I am going to allow myself to get a couple of fun new items (stay tuned for my favorite fall picks!) to throw into the mix. What are your favorites so far this season? I sense a cozy poncho in my future…
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Outfit details:
World Market Tunic
Zara Jacket similar
Levi’s Denim on sale!
GAP Booties
Stella & Dot Pearl Spike Cuff and Ring
Photos by Bryan Wallace
Blossoms & Kimonos
I can’t get enough of spring in D.C. I’ve walked down to the tidal basin twice with B recently, and the second long walk was just as fun as the first (sore legs and blisters aside). I threw on a great kimono that I picked up for my Morocco trip and my favorite Gap hat for a little shade (we all know how my pale skin reacts to too much sun…) to join other locals and visiting tourists downtown. It’s amazing how quickly things are changing. Just two weeks ago and the cherry blossoms were at full bloom, bright white and pink everywhere, and now most trees have turned a lovely light shade of green with little to no blossoms.
I feel myself itching to go outside while sitting in the office during the week, so I’ve been taking full advantage of outdoor activities – brunching, walking around the neighborhood, and getting back into my running routine with B – on weekends. And to clarify, I do consider brunching an “outdoor activity.”
Outdoor activity: leisure pursuits engaged in the outdoors (according to Wikipedia).
Enough said.
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South Moon Under Kimono on sale!
Gap Jeans
Gap Panama Hat | similar
Stella & Dot Rebel Cluster Necklace
Stella & Dot On The Mark Necklace
Gingham Girl
Fall is just flying by, ya’ll, and I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. My days are currently spent either glued to a computer or running around managing events, so I have been itching to spend some quality time outdoors, savoring any and every chance I get. In fact, I have been SO eager to be outside that I completed about half of my fall to-do list this past weekend. So productive, right? I managed to escape the city not once, but twice, over the weekend to the rolling hills of Virginia. I literally felt like a new person breathing in the crisp fresh air, listening to the crickets chirp, and taking in the gorgeous landscape. Let me tell you (if my lengthy flowery description didn’t say it all), it was much needed.
And thank the gods for the comfy clothes trend that has taken off this fall (Joggers, I am coming for you!). I have been living in bright patterned tops, like this blue gingham shirt, basic denim, and boots. I just have to say how much I love my black curvy skinny jeans. They are a little high-waisted (my personal preference when it comes to jeans) and the perfect length to cuff and wear with short booties. I know I may seem like a poster child for Gap, but I just can’t help that I feel like Goldilocks and that their 1969 jeans fit “just right.” I know a few friends who can back me up on that, too 😉
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Gap Booties
Gap Black Denim
Gap Gingham Shirt similar
Photography by Paul B. Jones
Jackie Tara 