THE PERFECT SPRING DRESS

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I found it! A neutral dress for Spring that you can wear both casually and dressed up. Leave it to Walmart to create the perfect high/low look that I love (and live by)! With the launch of their We Dress America campaign, Walmart fashion is turning things up a notch and there is something for every style and size. Also, their collection of premium brands offer options for every occasion from Easter Sunday to your next vacation.

The sleeve on this dress is so pretty and perfect for the transitional temperatures. Also its super maternity and breast feeding friendly with its looser silhouette and button up neckline. I’ve been looking for a transitional shoe for Spring and this espadrille will take you all the way through Summer. This style is under $100 and also comes in black. I’ve also had my eye on these espadrille sandals.

Speaking of warmer temps, this past weekend was gorgeous! I can’t wait to have friends and family over for barbecues and with Harrison’s second birthday fast approaching, we’re thinking we’ll have someting low key on the back patio. Right now we only have a table but I’m loving this outdoor sectional from Better Homes & Gardens paired with this simple grey striped pillow. Its the perfect time to elevate your home and wardrobe with neutrals from Walmart.

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GET THE LOOK

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— I would like to thank Walmart for sponsoring this post —

All thoughts and opinions are my own

SPRING BLAZER + EARTH TONES

e a r t h t o n e s

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“I’ve always loved neutrals. I partly attribute it to spending so much time in Belgium when I was younger where the aesthetic is tonal and clean. But that's not the whole story. My favorite brand is Phoebe Philo’s Chloé. I’ve always fallen love with a light soothing palette…it just speaks to me. I also find it very easy to get dressed that way. Everything just works.”

“Whether a blazer is $40 or $400, it always feels richer to me in a blush or a terracotta. Its just not the same for Navy.”

n e u t r a l s

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SPRING FLOWERS

GET THE LOOK

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Yay April 1st! I can’t believe it. This past Saturday was 73 degrees for a few hours and I soaked every single minute of it up! Somehow it went back to 32 this morning (maybe a little April fools joke) but just the thought that it was the first day of April kept me warm:)

I’ve always loved floral dresses for Spring and Summer. When I saw this one I immediately grabbed it. It has the prettiest pink and orange flowers on a green background and still manages to feel neutral. I’ve actually worn it twice already - once a brunch with a local organization and once as a skirt with a sweater. I’ve been thinking about Easter and really love the 70’s vibe of this dress. Again its bright, but feels very classic and timeless. On another note: I have to share this set with you! I was shopping for a client former upcoming trip and found this. It looks amazing with a pair of white jeans and will easily pack for any climate!

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shop spring florals

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10 WAYS I PRACTICE SELF-CARE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

‘You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first”

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1.

get a 15 minute chair massage

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2.

buy grocery store flowers and arrange them

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3.

face mask and a bath before bed

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4.

try a new coffee shop with a friend

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5.

diffuse essential oils and meditate or close your eyes for 15 minutes. If you’re at work, take a break to apply an essential oil roller ball to the palms of your hands and take a few deeps breaths

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There is no doubt that self-care is essential to living a happier life. I love treating myself once in a while to a facial, fancy dinner, or a new splurge item from my wishlist, but thats not realistic on a weekly basis. Its important to find things that don’t cost a fortune so that you can feel good about doing them, often!

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6.

listen to a podcast with a cup of tea

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7.

take a few extra minutes to make something you really enjoy for breakfast + sit down to eat it without feeling guilty! It will taste better that way:)

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8.

FaceTime with your bestie

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9.

clean out your DVR - you might find something you want to watch! Now GO! Watch it!

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10.

write. I’ve said it a million times…”I don’t have time to make lists”. I’m always going, going, going, and once kids are in the mix this constant sense of urgency can be exhausting and you feel like you’re losing your mind. When I take the time to write down what I need to do for the day/week I feel so much better. My mind is clear.

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LUST LIST - THE SPRING BLUES

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STYLED

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Took a little unintentional hiatus from Lust List posts but they’re back! I’m actually not the biggest fan of blues. I’ve mentioned it before but navy just doesn’t do it for me * GASP * You might be wondering how I worked at Ralph Lauren for so long (hehe). BUT I do love this shade of light blue and fell in love with this sweater in the city this weekend. I also picked up this floral dress which I’m shooting tomorrow…so excited!

Today I wanted to introduce you to a new brand that you may not be familiar with. I’ve been shopping it in Europe for a while and only recently has it become more available in the states through a few sites. It is extremely well priced for the quality and design! Meet Mes Demoiselles…

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MES DEMOISELLES

Pssst! Let me let you on on a little secret. Click here for this dress and then click here for the same dress. Notice anything different? The price! Whenever I’m shopping European brands I always check Matches first. They offer a better price and have free shipping and returns. Also, taxes are minimal if at all. You’re welcome!

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t h e b l u e e d i t

SPRING STYLE VIDEO

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I am SO excited to share this Spring style video with you! I remember watching similar ones that sites like Net-A-Porter would create 7+ years ago and thinking to myself, “I want to do this”. It all seemed so far away…a pipe dream! But here we are with the first of hopefully many! WHOOP WHOOP! Not going to lie, the first time I watched this all complete I got a little choked up when the girl first starts singing in the song…such a dork! I would LOVE to hear your comments and thoughts and especially what types of styling you would like to see more of. Thank you so much for being here and for following along.

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the accessories

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THE BUTTONDOWN

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THE EASY PANT

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THE KNIT

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THE BLOUSE

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THE TEE

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THE STRIPED SHIRT

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wear it with

ivory trench // zara

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video filming + editing // julia dags

A CASUAL CHIC BLAZER FOR SPRING

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Happy first day of Spring! I know nothing changed overnight but mentally, the idea that it is no longer winter, feels huge for my mental health! So excited for warm weather, light weight jackets, and flats!

the blazer

under 50

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under 150

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under 500

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under 1000

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A Weekend in the Berkshires

Hi! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I spent most of it working on last years’s accounting for the The Girl Guide (not my favorite hehe) and so happy I’m almost done! The weather was actually beautiful in Connecticut, brisk but the sun was shining, and it made me so excited for what’s to come:)

I’ve spoken about my love for The Berkshires before. So much so that I created a Travel tab and included this location so that you too could experience one of my original “happy places”. As a family we’ve been going up to this area of Massachusetts since I was a little girl. First it was for short ski trips but eventually in my 20’s my parents bought a home in South Egremont that became a weekend escape for nearly a decade. About two years ago they decided they wanted to move closer to us in Connecticut and sold the house. I’ve really missed going up there. Last summer we went up for a John Williams concert at Tanglewood and stayed in a hotel. It wasn’t the same. I think for me the biggest thing is having a kitchen, especially with the kids but also because I love to entertain, pour a glass of wine, and hang. Last month we were chatting with our friends about going up for the weekend and I suggested looking for a house to rent. Collectively our two families have 5 boys under 5 so we knew we wanted space and something that we could “live” in (not too precious). Then I found this place. It was PERFECT! Not only is it beautiful and full of charm, it is also in the ideal location - 15 minutes in each direction to both Great Barrington and West Stockbridge - two towns that we always visit when we go up.

The minute we walked into Jacob’s Tanglewood it felt like home and our kids felt it too! The amenities were great and we found we had everything we needed. Fun fact (and one of the many reasons why I love social media): I posted a picture on instgram while we were up there of the house and one of my husband’s friends from college wrote him saying that the property had been in their family for nearly a century! His dad was born in the house we were staying in. Such a small world!

Looking for a weekend escape or a week in the country this summer? Send me a note with any questions!

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JACOB’S TANGLEWOOD

STOCKBRIDGE, MA

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Guidos Marketplace - We always do all of our food shopping at this local and independent grocer. They have all the brands you’ll ever want or need plus an amazing fish and meat counter.

Rubiners - If you’re hosting guests, staying as a guest, or just want to sit back and enjoy some delicious cheese and dark chocolate, we love stopping by Rubiners for all their artisinal offerings. Also don’t miss their little sister coffee shop in the side alley called Rubi’s.

Baba Louie’s - Getting in late on the first night? Our favorite pizza place offers delicious takeout which can be the saving grace you’re looking for after your journey.

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A BERKSHIRE RETREAT

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Lunch at No Six Depot

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA

TREND - POLKA DOTS

get the look

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SHOP FOR DOTS

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HOW WE FILL OUR CLOSETS

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These days there are so many ways for you to fill your closet. Whether you’re dropping off at a consignment shop, browsing the internet, or walking into a luxury boutique, the opportunities to shop are endless. So what are the best ways? In today’s post I’m breaking down all of the options and my thoughts on each.

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THE RENTAL

Last Fall I signed up for the Rent the Runway Unlimited package. We had just returned from Europe and I knew I was going to be on a budget for the next few months (especially with the holidays around the corner). That being said we had a number of social engagements coming up in addition to my blog and social media posts and I wasn’t sure how I was going to swing a refresh. Then a friend suggested RTR and after a month I fell in love. As with anything there are pluses and minuses: I loved the idea that I could try something out and wear it with no strings attached. Even better was the fast that I could purchase the item at a discount if I loved it (I actually purchased the See By Chloe handbag seen pictured). Negatives - the only way to make this worthwhile for me was via the unlimited package which wasn’t inexpensive. I ended up stopping because I felt pressured to wear, send back, and pick again, “get my money’s worth” so to speak. However I would absolutely use the service again and I think its a great way to refresh your look for a period without breaking the bank!

BA&SH SKIRT RENTED VIA RENT THE RUNWAY

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THE INVESTMENT

Before The Girl Guide I shopped a little differently. The majority of my closet was made up of investment pieces especially when it came to accessories. I get asked a lot about the two bags I shoot with most often: My Chloe mini Marcie in light blush and my Chanel Wallet on Chain in black. I purchased the Chanel over 10 years ago and the Chloe was a Christmas gift from my parents a little over three years ago. I’ve never regretted either of them and even though they may not be the newest styles out there, I still wear them because I LOVE them. I guess thats really the theme of today’s post, no matter how you choose to create your wardrobe, love what you buy. For big purchases I always suggest a minimum of the 3 month rule - if you still love it, go for it! I waited for a year before I purchased these sandals and 7 years before I purchased the Cartier Love bracelet.

AN INVESTMENT SANDAL BY HERMES

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THE QUICKIE

There has been a lot of talk about '“Fast Fashion” in the last year. The term, which refers to inexpensive clothing rapidly created by large retailers in response to current trends, has had a negative connotation. Critics suggest that it is creating a shopping environment that promotes excess and that although one saves money on an individual piece, in the long run you are actually spending more. I agree with part of that statement - if you fill your closet with only Zara, H&M, ASOS, etc. and purchase every season you will end up with far too much and no place to house it or eventually sell it. After much thought on the subject and discussion with clients I look at it differently now. Fortunately for us (unfortunately for many luxury retailers) many of these large retailers have become insanely good at creating the look “for less”. The sweater below purchased at Zara (which I have worn countless times, is machine washable, and still in great shape) is almost identical to a style I fell in love with for $1,750. Had it not been for the $49 sweater I would never have been able to create this look that I love! So there you have it - if you LOVE it, buy it! Just be aware that multiple inexpensive items can also add up to a larger price tag!

SWEATER PURCHASED AT ZARA FOR UNDER $50

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THE GENTLY USED

I actually really love this one. I can’t say I’ve purchased a ton of “second-hand” but I can almost guarantee that my next luxury handbag purchase will be from The Real Real or Fashionphile. I’m currently looking for an ivory with gold hardware Celine Box Bag and while I’m not willing to pay the 5k price tag, I would splurge on the same style gently worn for less than half the price. I’ve helped multiple clients purchase luxury for less this way and the result has always been positive. Note: make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company willing to stand behind authenticity and refund you if there is an issue.

VALENTINO BOOTS PURCHASED AT THE REAL REAL STORE IN SOHO

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THE GUIDE - MARCH

THE GUIDE

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PIN THIS

GUYS! I have been getting so much inspiration from Pinterest these days. Whether its before a shoot, while I’m shopping, or just getting dressed i’ve found it so helpful during this in between season. Also SPRING is coming and I want every look in my spring board. Check it out!

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WEAR THIS

One of my go-to pieces to wear while transitioning to Spring are open knit cardigans like this one. Its all about the layers at this time of year on the East Coast (I wore a long cashmere cardigan under a suede trench today) and it can be tough especially at work to know how to deal when the temperature swings. This one is similar to the style I have and it is certainly an investment - but I guarantee you will get your moneys worth!

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DRY THIS

Ok - I never really understood all the hype around hair styling tools until now. I mean all hair dryers pretty much do the same thing right? I was completely content with my $39.99 CVS one until I tried THIS! A client mentioned it to me and let me try it out and I have to say it was been a game changer. Not only is it super powerful and dries my hair faster (which these days I’ll take all the extra minutes) but it has a super long cord and has been leaving my hair feeling softer and looking shinier. Trust me ladies, this is an electronic you’ll want as a Mother’s Day present! I am as shocked as you are:)

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DESIGN THIS

I’ve been working on the boys bedroom for the last few months and frankly been looking EVERYWHERE for inspiration! I don’t want to mess it up/see something else I like a couple months after I finish. I always try to fall in love with pieces for our house. Sidenote: the hardest thing has been finding matching twin beds for under $500 each. I loved this little piece of inspiration from the One Kings Lane blog. We have many of the items pictured in slightly different forms and it was helpful to see it all pulled together!

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LEARN THIS

One of my favorite blog/websites just launched a group of courses for bloggers/influencers - really for anyone interested in content creation and they look amazing! When I started out I really struggled teaching myself how to use a program like Photoshop. Let me tell you, it is NOT self explanatory. I would have killed for a course like this one.

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EAT THIS

YUMM!! These snacks are sure to impress not only your kids but your friends too! I’m always looking for something more interesting than an apple with almond butter and I really try to control my dark chocolate cravings especially during the winter months. The banana sushi and no-bake blondies are my favorite!

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TRENDING

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MY FAVORITE NEUTRAL COFFEE TABLE BOOKS

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CLEAN AND NEUTRAL

victoria hagan

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BELGIAN STYLE

axel vervoordt

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INTERIOR GENIUS

steven gambrel

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TIMELESS STYLE

lee radziwill

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DRESSING FOR SPRING WHEN IT STILL FEELS LIKE WINTER

NEUTRAL COAT

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TOPS

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LIGHT DENIM

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STATEMENT EARRING

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LUST LIST - INTO THE WILD

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Its been a little while since my last Lust List and I wanted to think transitional neutrals heading into Spring. I really love this color palette because it works well with every skin tone, hair color, and its almost season-less.

• These boots! I’ve been on the hunt for a pair to replace my Stuart Weitzman (or give those a break) and absolutely love these

• This fringe skirt is so pretty. Love it paired with a tucked in white tee and a denim jacket.

• This dress - sold out last year when I wore it in this post and its back in stock!

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE WORK PANT

blazer old Theory, similar here // tee Theory, similar here // pants (size up) H&M //

pumps old, similar here // watch MICHELE

THESE PANTS WILL WORK FOR YOU

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thank you to Michele for gifting me the watch in today’s post

TROTTA HOUSE - PAINT COLORS

PAINT! Long before we purchased this house I was on the hunt for the perfect palette. I knew what I wanted - a clean and fresh feeling home painted in white, with a gray door. I googled, I pinned, I DM’d bloggers and designers…so much thought and research went into finding the one! Then when we found our home I knew my plan was perfect. With just shy of 2,000 sq ft, white was the only way to make our new space appear bigger. After a few samples I decided on Simply White for the walls and Chantilly Lace in a gloss for the trim. What attracted me to the trim color was that it was slightly creamy and had just the slightest contrast to the walls.

Not all grays are created equal. SO SO many gray colors. It can be very overwhelming and the pressure to not make a mistake is real! I knew I wanted a high gloss look for both our front door and for our family room bookcases.

PAINT COLORS

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TRIM & FIREPLACE - CHANTILLY LACE

ALL WALLS - SIMPLY WHITE

FRONT DOOR - GALVESTON GRAY

BOOKCASES - OZARK SHADOWS

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neutrals at home

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WEEKEND RECAP + SHOPBOP SALE ROUNDUP

Hey friends! So I have some fun news for you…Spring is only 28 days away! WHOOP WHOOP! For some reason I always thought it started in April but I was wrong, it begins on March 20th this year. I don’t want to jinx myself and ay we’ve had a mild one in terms of snow, but its been kind of nice.

This weekend we were pretty low key. On Friday night we watched A Star is Born and I thought it was great (Frank liked the first half but not the second as much). I was in need of a good cry and by the end was pretty much balling. If you haven’t seen it yet it just came out to rent onDemand and it is not overrated! On Sunday Luke and I went into the city to meet our friends for Brunch. We went to the CUTEST spot in Tribeca. If you’re traveling to NYC I highly recommend Maman for lunch or at a minimum, tea and a pastry. I believe they have seven locations spread across Manhattan and Brooklyn and all offer something a little different. The Tribeca location was great because its attached to a card shop which made the waiting experience fun. The entire time I was there I was scheming and thinking “How can I bring this place back to Connecticut?”…it would do so well! Also there was the sweetest birthday party happening at a communal table next to us making it the perfect cozy event space for a baby shower or sprinkle. Just saying!

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SHOPBOP SALE

I’ve been waiting for this sale! It officially begins tomorrow but you can shop early access if you’re a subscriber with code: GOBIG19

I’ve rounded up some of my favorites including spring/summer staples that you can’t go wrong with!

high-waisted shorts // raffia sandals // easy dress // staple tank // statement earring

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QUESTIONS ANSWERED

LIFE

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HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR HUSBAND?

We were both interns at Morgan Stanley in Washington, D.C. I needed help with a filing cabinet and the rest is history….!

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WHAT IS THE OLDEST THING IN YOUR CLOSET?

A small Hermes square scarf that my grandfather gave me when I was 8 years old. After that my oldest is piece is probably a Max Mara top I bought in Italy when I was in college. Frank and I went together for 10 days the summer before our senior year. It is still the best vacation I’ve ever been on and I can’t wart with the top! I tend to keep things FOREVER (especially investment pieces)!

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WHERE IS YOUR WHITE LIVING ROOM SOFA FROM?

One Kings Lane! Its sold out but here is a similar style. Ours is also this crypto fabric which has been really helpful repelling stains from the kids (but mostly mine!).

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ARE YOU CHRISTIAN? JEWISH? ANYTHING?

I was raised Roman Catholic. I don’t consider myself to be very religious but I am very spiritual if that makes sense. I believe in God and in Heaven and an after life.

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HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I’m 34 years old. My birthday is September 25th. Libra:)

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Do you have a Spotify playlist?

Not yet but its on my list of to-do’s for March!

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Where is your living room rug from?

Its from Safavieh! When we moved in the first thing I wanted to find were rugs for our living room/dining room areas. They’re connected so I knew I wanted to use the same neutral style in both spaces to make it appear larger. I actually found ours on Amazon and took a chance! What a steal! Its since sold out but I was able to find it here and here. Our color is “light gray”.

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FASHION

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WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON WEARING A FUR COAT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR?

Not sure if this was referring to real fur but I don’t buy real anymore. I have a fur vest (I think fox) that I purchased from a consignment shop 10+ years ago that I still wear because I love it and it wasn’t inexpensive but I wouldn’t purchase it again. Now as for faux fur…YES! It has become so much easier to find amazing faux that you’re not even tempted by the real thing. For men I prefer the look of a shearling coat like this reversible shell. This is my favorite brand these days for faux.

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WHO MAKES YOUR SUNGLASSES?

Celine Catherine and the style number is 41098. Mine are the Havana blue with tortoise. Here is a similar pair!

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DO YOU HAVE A CAPSULE WARDROBE OF KEY PIECES?

Not yet but I’m working on it! Should be on the blog early next month!

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GO-TO COLD WEATHER FOOTWEAR?

Three years ago I purchased a winter boot from Stuart Weitzman and still wear them all the time. They really make the best/most comfortable styles in general and I find their cold weather to be no different. I like this one. For rain I recently purchased this pair - love the Chelsea style and the price!

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HAVE YOU SEEN ANY GOOD BLACK CARDIGANS/COATIGANS OUT THERE? SOMETHING WITH STRUCTURE!

I always find that Madewell has a new sweater coat style every season. There are only a few styles left but this black one looks like a classic. Also this one is great (collarless though so a little less structured) and comes in many colors.

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FAVORITE WHITE T-SHIRT?

This will be included in the capsule wardrobe! My all-time favorite white t’s are these and these from Theory. I became addicted to them when I worked there and stocked up right before leaving. They hold up really well and look better overtime in my opinion. For a less expensive version I purchased this one in white during the summer and its a different look but also great quality for the price.

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SHOP THE POST

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STEAL VS SPLURGE - LUXE BLUSH

steal vs splurge

steal

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splurge

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accessories

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Weekend Sale Roundup

SHOP THE POST

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Happy long weekend! I would LOVE to hear what everyone has planned for this weekend. Luke is out of school for seven days (insert scared face) so I’m trying to get creative with how we can spend our time over the next week. I’m also feeling just a touch under the weather today - probably fighting off what Luke had last week but also very thankful that I’m not bedridden like he was!

I wasn’t going to post sale right now because I feel like I’ve kind of been over sale shopping lately BUT I just had a client ask for a limited roundup of my absolute favorites so I thought I’d share! There actually are some chic wear now and later pieces available and almost all sites will be doing an extra percentage off sale for the holidays weekend. Also insider tip: The Net-A-Porter sale just ended BUT all their inventory will now pop up on their sister discount site The Outnet. Love this jacket!

Also, I popped into Zara yesterday to purchase a tank for a client. They have the best basic spandex styles that are great for layering. Recently I had been taking a break from them for two reasons: ONE, I knew I was going to love the new collection, and TWO, I’ve been trying not to shop a ton of Zara because its not available to link on Liketoknowit. Full transparency! Many of my followers will go to LTK to check for items I’m wearing and when they’re not there it can be frustrating. Whelp! I was right that I would love everything and ended up leaving with this cardigan and this camisole. The cardigan was a MUST. Such great quality in person and looks so expensive (although honestly I wish that the Zara price was under 100).

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WEEKEND SALES

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