Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Selfie #1

Since I babble on about clothes, accessories, etc. quite a lot, I thought it would be fun to post a picture of myself. Full disclosure: I got my hair cut and blown out yesterday. It does not usually look like this. (Jacob at Violet Salon in Georgetown is the very very best.)


White and Warren sweater, Michael Stars T-shirt, Urban Outfitters scarf, Old Navy jeans, Yosi Samra flats, Michael Kors watch, JPK purse. 

This picture was fun to take, even though I kind of look like I'm hatching an evil plan when really I have only had an iPhone for about two weeks and am still becoming friendly with the camera. I'll try to post some more pictures of outfits I really like soon! 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Store Spotlight: Tari Georgetown

Whenever I'm near Wisconsin and P Streets in Georgetown, it's hard to resist the temptation to go into Tari, a designer consignment store. (Click here to be directed to the store's website.)

I am such a bag person, and Tari has a phenomenal selection. High-end bags from Louis Vuitton to Prada mingle with unique bags at more accessible prices. I bought a terrific snakeskin envelope clutch for $38 and am so excited to use it. The store has an eclectic collection of jewelry as well. 




I always love looking for stuff for the dude, and the men's section of Tari was fantastic. I found some great Ferragamo and Vineyards Vines ties. I could look around there for a long time and will definitely bring him back to check out the store. 







The men's section was reflective of the clean lines that are part of the store's overall vibe. So many consignment stores have disorganized displays and seem to jam items into places where they are hard to really see.  Tari's items are spaced out and visible; along with the store's lighting, they make shopping there a much more pleasant experience. I also loved whimsical touches like this fireplace with shoes displayed on the mantel. 




Stopping by Tari really is a treat. For fans of consignment shopping, it's a really fun place to get a gift for yourself or a lucky someone! 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Crossbody Crushes

On a visit to Connecticut in Fall 2011, I bought a crossbody bag that I'd seen in Lucky magazine from H&M. I used it for a bit and then let it languish in my closet for quite a while. I would use it every once in a while, but not very often.
This winter, that bag has been a lifesaver. It fits exactly what I need and forces me to edit out what I don't. At the rate that I'm using it, the bag has a finite lifespan. I wanted to find a durable crossbody bag that I could use during any season. Here are three of my favorites!

Crossbody Crushes


Kate spade
nordstrom.com


Rebecca minkoff
rebeccaminkoff.com


Thursday, January 24, 2013

Kate Spade Sale Picks

I was creeping around on elle.com and they posted about a Kate Spade sale--click here for a direct link.  I found a ton of great pieces that will brighten up winter ensembles and transition seamlessly into spring and summer.
The clutches (which are more spacious than they initially appear to be) and earrings are great for jazzing up a basic blazer-top-skinnies going out ensemble, and the belt is really cool for bringing in a flowy dress.
I've loved that big quilted tote for a while. It's a classic made a lot more fun in gleaming gold. I have a vision of myself in my future dream career (still to be determined) walking in with that bag and a smile on my face to meet clients. There's certainly no harm in imagining!

Kate Spade Sale Picks


Kate spade handbag
katespade.com


Kate spade
katespade.com


Kate spade handbag
katespade.com


Kate spade
katespade.com



Kate Spade thin belt
katespade.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Cautious Kitchen Adventures

I have to say that I'm pretty surprised to be writing this post.

I am someone who learned to love going out to dinner at a very young age. In my father's office, there is an article about him that mentions our weekly dinner dates at a local steakhouse. The article was written when I was about six years old.

As I grew up, going out to dinner had different meanings: a first date, time with friends, and getting to catch up with my family.

Up until the past year, I kind of enjoyed being "the girl who didn't cook." The idea of being in the kitchen (aside from baking cupcakes, which always relaxed me) didn't appeal to me in the least. Plus, the kitchen seemed like an excellent place for my neuroses to flourish (I am so, so scared of undercooked chicken) and I consequently avoided it.

In the past several months, however, the kitchen and I are inching towards a friendship. I think the difference is that I am building up gradually. I've started making simple salads or working with a premade meal from Trader Joe's and adding more vegetables. Now that the kitchen and I are becoming better buddies, I'm also getting a better idea of what I actually use the most. The result? Less waste and an increasing ability to see how different components of a meal can be mixed, matched, and paired with one another to create something new. It's certainly not rocket science and something that I should have learned sooner. But it is a good thing, and I will embrace it and hopefully let it evolve even more.

I am all for celebrating something new, so here are some of my favorite kitchen accessories.



I'm no Barefoot Contessa, but I'm looking forward to learning more and more in my kitchen as the year continues! 

Friday, January 18, 2013

DC Restaurants, Florida Nails.

A little bird has started to warn me about the horrifying inconvenience that the Inauguration will bring. No way to get out to Virginia, no way to get into DC. Crowds everywhere. And I have to say, it is slightly disconcerting living in Foggy Bottom, where there are Port-a-Potties on the corners and my favorite Starbucks will be removing all of its tables due to the anticipation that it will be standing room only this weekend.

I was happy and surprised that a quick peruse on OpenTable showed that the city's restaurant scene remains intact. A search for two people for Saturday dinner showed that so many amazing restaurants have room. Some of the usual suspects are virtually impossible, such as Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons in Georgetown and Old Ebbitt Grill.

Here are some of my favorite options with availability:








In a move that has nothing to do with food, I am loving coral nail polish that is half Barbie and half Boca Raton grandma. It is just sassy and fun and makes January a little less gloomy. Here are some of my favorite shades. 


Wishing everyone a wonderful Inauguration weekend!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Little Happy Things.

It's been pretty busy these past couple of days. Work, wedding planning, apartment cleaning/organizing and subsequent fantasizing about much bigger closets.

Here are a couple of things that have made me smile in spite of the stress.

1. David Grey, Lost Songs 


This is just incredible. I used to fall asleep to it in high school. I finally bought it on iTunes and it was an excellent decision.

2. James Taylor Radio on Pandora


This is the most soothing thing and helps me get through some of my more monotonous tasks.

3. Hedgehog Valentines


Just plain obsessed. If you live in DC, the Paper Source store there has an adorable "Love and HedgeHugs" window display. 

4.  Phone chats with my sister 


My sister is an awesome person and I adore and admire her to no end. She does not believe in B.S. and she pretty much gives the best perspective on everything. Talking to her just makes my day better. 

5. DC Oyster Bars


(Dude and I had oysters here the night we got engaged, so it will always have a special place in my heart.)


Black Jack, the bar right above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Both the oysters and appetizers are phenomenal. 


I want to try Hank's Oyster Bar in Dupont Circle next! 


Here's to more feel-good stuff happening this week. 

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Floaty Edge

At Target today, I couldn't help but overhear a "conversation" that sounded very familiar.

Girl: *rifles through clothes*
Guy, somewhat quietly: "We're here for groceries..."

So, yeah. Glad to hear we aren't alone. Anyway, after hearing this conversation, I found the dress shown below for my bridal shower in Virginia. (Obviously, I tried it on over my jeans and not in the dressing room. Being classy is really hard.)

I tried it on again at home and was relieved to see that it fit when I didn't have jeans on beneath it. It calls for a belt and some funky jewelry and high heeled sandals. Hopefully I will find some that I can walk gracefully in. In the meantime, here's some fun jewelry that I found online. The crystal wrap studs are my favorite, and it was great to see that Urban Outfitters has a good range of jewelry at different price points on its website.

I'm looking forward to posting some ideas for high heeled sandals soon!


Floaty Edge


Double Happiness stud earrings
urbanoutfitters.com


MARIAFRANCESCAPEPE spike ring
urbanoutfitters.com


Dara Ettinger oval ring
urbanoutfitters.com


Bing bang
urbanoutfitters.com


Stone earrings
urbanoutfitters.com


Bangle jewelry
urbanoutfitters.com


Earrings
urbanoutfitters.com


Friday, January 11, 2013

42° and Casual

I woke up this morning and felt like my outfit was functional but not fantastic. I wore a hoodie, a peacoat, and skinnies. Here is my glammed-up version of what I wore this morning (and here's hoping that one day I will actually be able to get those shoes and that bag!)

42° and Casual

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Winter Brights

In spite of forecasts that the weather will warm up this weekend, I'm in need of some cheer now. This perspective was reaffirmed when I noticed that the color of my pedicure yesterday was a slightly darker shade of the clouds outside.

Being from Florida, I am a firm believer that something colorful, no matter how small, can often lead to a smile. Here are some of my favorite items that definitely qualify as beat-the-blues brights.


Stud Earrings, Kate Spade New York, $38. 

Available at http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/kate-spade-new-york-stud-earrings/3397197?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=ORANGE%2F+GOLD&resultback=0



Sculpted Bow iPhone 4 Case, Kate Spade New York, $35. 


Monday, January 7, 2013

Making Valentine's Day Tolerable Since 1961

For a lot of people, Valentine's Day is often a really unfortunate day. It's my birthday, so I feel like I got a pass in some way--single or not, I'll be celebrating.

Seeing all the Valentine's Day displays up already has been kind of a lot. It's January 7--I feel like people need more holiday recovery time than that!

Nevertheless, I will suspend that judgement for Diptyque's new limited edition candle, Rose Duet. According to Diptyque's website, the candle combines the company's Roses and Baies scents.


I was very, very fortunate to receive Diptyque's Rosa Mundi candle (another limited edition scent) last year. It is a a gorgeous fragrance and the candle itself is marked with beautiful flowers. There's no way I'm getting rid of the candle once the wax is gone--I'll remove the wax and use it to store brushes or pencils. 


It's a long trudge to (and maybe through) Valentine's Day--but there's nothing like a beautifully scented candle to raise a girl's spirits. 

Dehydration Station

Walking around this morning, I realized (this realization happens annually in spite of my living in Washington for 8 years) how much the cold weather takes a toll on my lips and skin. Throw in medication that makes me very thirsty and my need for relief reaches a whole new level.

Here are my favorite lip balms:

Dehydration Station


Kiehl s kiehl s
nordstrom.com


Lip treatment
drugstore.com


Eo
walgreens.com




And hand cream (it doesn't sting at all and feels so, so good.)

I try to drink filtered water like nobody's business. When it gets to be too tasteless, I add lemon. Any kind of fruit infused water is also great--for me, sometimes water needs to be a little more "interesting" for me to drink the amount that I need. Here is a link to a great website for "flavored waters" that you can make yourself: http://www.theyummylife.com/Flavored_Water. You can really use any fruit you like, and it's nice to change things up. 

On a completely random note, I am definitely counting down to the Rue La La Lilly Pulitzer sale. It's always fun to see what they have!