spring

Lace Details

There are some fashion trends that are super fun and are probably really comfortable – like crop tops and the daring comeback of the 90’s mini dress, for example – that I don’t event attempt to try because the older woman in me is yelling “you can’t get away with wearing those skimpy clothes at your age!”. I made an exception, however, to try a bralette – a light and delicate lace alternative to my standard underwire bra.

I hope it’s ok if I get a little personal and honest… I’ve always hated wearing bras, but was too self-contious to not wear one. Bralettes seem a little youthful – reminiscent of my first sports bra as an adolescent – but carry the more adult lacey details of an adult brazier (I was fascinated when I found out that was the “long word” for bra!). I was too curious about trying one, so on my next trip to T.J. Maxx I picked up a simple white Nicole Miller bralette.

As soon as I put it on I loved everything about it, mostly how light-weight it was while still providing support. I also love the lace that can peek through a flowy top, or just sit discreetly under an unassuming tee.

Wearing: Nicole Miller bralette (I found mine at T.J. Maxx, but there are so many cute ones at A.E.!), D.Jeans (similar), Green Envelope top (similar), Franco Sarto sandals, Stella & Dot necklace and wrap bracelet // Photos taken by Bryan Wallace

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

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

Wedding Wear: May

I’m heading to California this weekend for the wedding of two of my dear friends, Ava and Brian. Ava is from Santa Cruz, a lovely, laid back, shoreline city, and the venue location for their May 31st wedding. They are getting married and celebrating at Highlands Park, nestled in the mountains just north of Santa Cruz. Knowing that it will be an outdoor wedding that continues into the evening hours in a place that feels the winds over Monterey Bay (I can feel them already…), I wanted to find a dress that could transition from day to night and that would be comfortable dancing in, because let’s be real, we all know I will be getting my groove on.

I found the perfect dress shopping online at Zara – it’s an above-the-knee cream-based dress with a marsala and yellow floral print. It’s SO cute and perfect for a spring event. Oh, and it has pockets. You can never go wrong with a dress that has pockets (just trust me on this one). Dresses with pockets are everything. Since the dress has more going on than my typical monochromatic dress, I’ve decided to go minimal on jewelry. I’m still debating between my favorite Stella & Dot ear jackets and classic pearl stud. Decisions, decisions… Don’t worry, I’ll let you know what happens, and I can’t wait to share photos from the wedding!

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Zara Floral Dress
Stella & Dot Eva Ear Jackets

Photography by Paul B. Jones

Relaxed

I don’t know about you, but my spring went by entirely WAY too fast. Who told May that it was okay for 90 degree weather already?! It happens every year, but it never ceases to shock me when all of the blossoms are gone, trees are green, and it’s hot outside half way through the month. I also never seem to remember how busy this time of year can be (currently making a mental note for 2016) – summer is a whirlwind, but gearing up for the summer is just as crazy… which is why it’s important to take a moment and relax. B is constantly telling me that I need to slow down and “smell the roses” and I’m finally learning to take time (even if it’s just a few minutes) for myself.

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Stella & Dot Anchor Voyager Cuff
Stella & Dot Eva Ear Jacket
Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant
VS Yoga Pants

Photos c/o 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

Delicate Blush

I have never been much of a pastel person, but this Valentine’s Day I put myself in a delicate blush dress that I found in a second hand store and a blush and gold petal necklace from Stella & Dot’s new spring line. There’s something about pastel tones that whisper (because screaming would not be very lady like) femininity, and I have very much been gravitating toward that ethereal color palette lately. Normally I’m a bright blue, crisp white, and classic black kind of gal, but I think I may make a little room in my heart for blush, aquamarine, lavender, and all things feminine this spring.

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Thrifted French Connection Dress | similar
Stella & Dot Birdie Necklace

Photography by Paul B. Jones

Parka Happy

I think I might be in love… with my parka. I went spring shopping with my mom a few weeks ago and felt like a kid in a candy store gawking at all of the new colors, styles, and trends of this season. An item that was on my list before we even set out on our shopping adventure was a green parka jacket. I kept seeing them on Pinterest and around town, and thought it would be the perfect addition to my spring wardrobe. Trench, move over! My parka’s casual trendiness makes me happy, and keeps me dry on rainy days.

The day T and I took these photos was one of those days that was just plain old grey and nasty. Not rainy, but windy and unsettling. We had plans that night to celebrate our friend’s birthday at a “micro grant” dinner called CRAVE in Old Town, Alexandria. The premise of the dinner was amazing: panelists would speak to you about the projects they were working on and how they could use your contribution, then all of the guests would vote on their favorite platform. The winner received all of the proceeds to complete their project, so it was a great feeling to help someone do something great [big or small] in the community.

We took a pit stop at the Bethesda metro station tunnel on the way to dinner so Teddy could take some photos of the art installation, “Tunnel Vision,” for a Washington Post Express article. My favorite was the painting of the red bicycle.

Outfit details:
Zara khaki parka
Gap high-waisted jeans
Zara graphic black & white tee
Audrey Brooke black booties
Madewell gold bangles and knot ring

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Wedding Wear: March

Wedding season. The season of love and romance, old traditions paired with the new, gorgeous color palettes, and of course the best season [and reason] to put on that fabulous dress. A dear colleague of mine is getting married this Saturday in Clifton, Virginia to the love of her life and I can’t wait to witness their “I Do’s” and share in their celebration! What I am not looking forward to so much is the sub 50 degree weather and rain showers that are sure to make an appearance. It’s March for Pete’s sake, isn’t it supposed to be NICE outside?! But the wedding will commence and, hey, at least the rain will hide our tears… of joy of course! I am surely in for a good cry.

With this silly transitional weather ahead, I am going to go with a black and white patterned dress I found on ModCloth. It’s a neutral option that’s not quite “wintery” but not too “springy” either, which is great because I can continue to wear this sleeveless dress into warmer spring days, and maybe even the beginning of summer, too! I do want some pop of color against my black, white, and grey ensemble, so I luckily purchased a little neon number in time from a Banana Republic online sale!

Outfit details: dress: ModCloth // cape: vintage // necklace: Banana Republic similar

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

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