winter fashion

Rainy Union Market Day[te]

Bryan and I have emphatically decided to spend holidays doing something fun together instead of exchanging gifts. Although he cheated on Vday with a bottle of bubbly and a box of Sugar Shack donuts [best boyfriend ever!], we had an awesome Valentines Day date the weekend before at Union Market, one of our go-to spots for a relaxing day close to home.

It was super grey and rainy, but Union Market has great indoor space and surrounding shops, so we plopped down at Rappahannock Oyster Co. for a delicious sampler platter before doing a little exploring. We visited our favorites, like TaKorean [snack #2 of the day], Salt & Sundry, and Peregrine Espresso, but we also discovered the new Cotton & Reed rum distillery around the corner. If you’re in the DC/VA area, you must check it out! Their cocktails are great, their bartenders are friendly, and the light-filled space is cozy and inviting.

Outfit Details:

GAP Brimmed Hat
GAP Chelsea Boots
Vintage Suede Coat
Vince Camuto Leggings
Fulla&Fayda Tote

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

Blue Coat

I can’t be the only one tired of long cold, long grey winter days (did I say long?!). Yesterday we got lucky with almost-50-degree-weather in Virginia and it was fantastic. I relished in my 20 minute excursion to Sweet Leaf for a “healthy” lunch and didn’t want it to ever end. The cold (and darkness) also instill a laziness within me. Can you believe I hadn’t been grocery shopping in two weeks?! I can. I finally gave in last night with a quick trip to Trader Joe’s after an intense Bar Method workout for the essentials (and I mean the bare bones essentials, like milk and eggs, and maybe some Manchego cheese…).

But I can always count on a heavy coat to at least cover the cold part. I have a couple of wool blend favorites, but my go-to is my Miss Sixty fit and flare coat, given to me by my fashionable mother for Christmas a couple years ago. I love having a winter coat that’s trusty and trendy. Although, that statement may seem fickle when I shed my layers and yell how much I love 60-degree weather from the rooftops come April.

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Miss Sixty Coat old | similar
Vintage Boots

Photography by Paul B. Jones

Nautical Stripes

Nautical Stripes - Jackietara blog

I am a sucker for stripes. Whether it’s summer or winter, the classic stripe is always in-style and [thankfully] a slimming pattern. The main reason it should be part of anyone’s “go-to” wardrobe is it’s versatility: you can pair black and navy stripes with bright colors, florals, leather, fur, and denim for a more relaxed look. Just search “stripes” on Pinterest and you’ll get every combination imaginable!

My nautical stripes were even more fitting on this cold Christmas Day in Annapolis, down by the water. We spent the day with Teddy’s family and family friends eating oysters and crab cakes and drinking home-brewed beer [delicious!].

Outfit details: striped dress [featured in Happy Flowers]: ModCloth // coral sweater [featured in Sunsets and Alleyways]: Madewell // boots: vintage // gold necklace [featured in Aqua + Gold]: ModCloth

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

The Red Bag

I have been obsessing over bright red and pink statement bags recently, and my prayers to the bag gods were answered this Christmas with this lovely red gem from Stella & Dot [which I even blogged about back in November!]. Pops of color make me happy, so needless to say this bag brings a smile to my face each time I load it with overnight supplies, work papers and folders, snacks and knick-knacks, and tote it around town. It makes even the dreariest of these post-holiday days merry and bright.

Check out these other bright and happy bags for the winter season:
The Faye bag by Sole Society featured on The Small Things Blog
‘M.A.B. – Mini’ Leather Tote in Scarlet featured on Metropolitan Thread
Firenze red leather clutch [if you’re in Italy anytime soon!] featured on Daisy and the Fox

Outfit details: camel sweater: ModCloth [old] // gold elephant earings: ModCloth // red tote: Stella & Dot

Photography by Teddy Wolff

In addition to my inclination toward red and pink hues in apparel, I have also been loving Revlon’s “Fuchsia Fusion” lipstick. It’s a fun and carefree color, don’t you think?

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!