Bryan and I did our first fall shopping spree a couple weeks ago, and of course Zara was on my list!
zara
Rainy Day Stripes
Happy third week of June! I seriously don’t know where summer came from, but it started with a bang and is here to stay for a while. (I don’t know about you, but I’m noticing a trend here with the start of new seasons). I know I know, summer doesn’t technically start until June 20, but 80-degree days and thick humidity is summer in my book.
We’ve had a few rainy days sprinkled in with our more well-loved sunny days, so I’ve been grabbing my trusty parka on the way out the door a lot lately. Out the door to where, you ask? Well, honestly no where super exciting, but you can imagine me running off to catch a flight to Paris or Iceland. I’m so happy I bought this thing a couple years ago from Zara – it’s relatively light so I can even wear it in warmer weather over a colorful blouse or stripey dress. Stripes on stripes seemed appropriate for a rainy day. Call me cliché.
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Outfit Details:
Zara Parka similar
Garnet Hill Striped Dress similar from GAP
Stella & Dot Clutch
Stella & Dot Necklace and Cuff
Photos by Bryan Wallace
Neutral Natural
I feel like spring grabbed a hold of me with its gnarly (and not the ‘awesome’ kind) claws and didn’t let go. Somehow I’ve broken free and I’m finally settling back into my normal routine. On a more relaxed weekend before the 16 consecutive days of rain that we had in Virginia, B and I did one of our favorite things and walked from our Del Ray apartment to Old Town Alexandria for dinner. We have our favorite places for happy hour in the area, but we are always looking to try new places. Virtue Feed and Grain has been on the list for a little wile, so we finally gave it a try and were not disappointed. It was even mild enough to eat outside, so we got a double-dose of fresh air.
On days when there’s not a whole lot on the agenda, I like to throw my hair up in a messy bun and put on a comfy tee, leggings, and Keds. To “upscale” the look a little I throw on a blazer or jacket, like this neutral one from Zara, and a bright lip color. Tees and blazers are my go-to for almost every occasion – both work and play – which works because I can go from activity to activity without having to change. If there is anything I hate more than peanut butter, it’s having to put on more than one set of clothes per day. I know, I blaspheme. Please forgive me, just this once.
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Outfit details:
Zara Flowing Lapels Blazer in Sand
Zara Graphic Tee old
Zara Leggings
Stella & Dot Watch
Florentine Leather Clutch
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
Mustard Memo
The snow is finally melting a week after the snow storm of the year. No more crazy commutes into work and fighting for a parking spot when I come home (can I get an “amen”). Thankfully, B and I were able to get out for a couple walks last weekend while the streets were still piled high with the white stuff. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ready for winter to end (I could kiss that groundhog!), but in the meantime I’m enjoying cozy layers and giant scarves, like this knit mustard number. It turns my winter frown upside down. Take note: winter can go, but the scarf can stay as long as it likes.
Outfit details:
Zara Scarf old
Quilted Top similar from Old Navy
Stella & Dot Turquoise Stone Ring and Bracelet
Stella & Dot Gilded Wrap Bracelet
Anthropologie Tote
Photos by Bryan Wallace
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
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
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
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
Jackie Tara 