Category: fashion

70s Prep

by Rachel McCarthy
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novelstyle shop blouse c/o {20% off & free shipping with code RACHEL20} | Free People flared denim {morrisey} | Tory Burch Robinson tote | ankle booties, old {similar style} | Karen Walker sunglasses | earrings | Kate Spade watch, old {similar style} | David Yurman link bracelet, one-station bracelet | Lancome lip crayon {#200}, NARS lipgloss {turkish delight}

Happy Monday, friends! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed watching the Super Bowl! I spent most of the game editing pictures and writing this post, but I did catch the halftime show. I had my doubts going into it, but I thought it was pretty good! What were your thoughts?! As for commercials, how cute were the dachshunds in the Heniz commercial!! That definitely was one of my favorites.

You may remember last week when I shared the geometric necklace from novelstyle shop {you can see that post here}. And today I am sharing another piece from novelstyle — how cute is this blouse?! I love that this blouse is so easy to wear — whether it’s to work with dress pants or a skirt or even out to dinner with jeans — and it’s so soft and comfortable! Although, what I love most about this blouse is the peter pan collar. It adds the perfect amount of prep to an otherwise 70s look with these flared jeans. And a 70s look wouldn’t be complete with out these Karen Walker sunglasses! 

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! Stop back tomorrow for one last Valentine’s Day themed post! Thanks for dropping by!

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Spring Poncho

by Rachel McCarthy
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spring-outfit-ideas
cabi Siesta Poncho c/o | basic white tee {true to size, size up for baggier look} | distressed jeans, last season {this season here} | Tory Burch Robinson tote | Karen Walker sunglasses | red Hunter boots | earrings | Kate Spade watch {similar here} | David Yurman ring | David Yurman link bracelet, cuff | red YSL lipgloss {#9}

There is no question ponchos are one of my staple pieces for the fall and winter. They are easy to dress up or down, cozy, comfortable and cute! What’s not to love?! So when I saw this SPRING poncho from cabi, I had to have it! Our weather can be so tricky here in the D.C. metro area this time of the year. One day it will be cold, the next it’s warm! It was actually in the 60s yesterday…granted, we had a ton of rain, but still warm! And since we can have a few early spring days, with still the touch of a chill in the air, this poncho couldn’t be more perfect. 

And with so many pretty colors in this poncho, it was hard to decide how to style it first! But, since I wore this look last Saturday while I was running errands, skipping through melted snow puddles, the laid back look of distressed jeans, a basic white tee and my Hunters were definitely a must! Did you notice the cute, decorative fringe? So on-point with style, too!

Do you have any fun plans for Super Bowl weekend? We will probably watch the game and I will make some kind of food, but no plans yet! I really need to come up with some recipes and make my grocery list…this Super Bowl really came up quickly for me! Have a fabulous weekend!


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Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her

by Rachel McCarthy
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fuzzy heart pillow | “three rows” bracelet | rosebud iphone case | pink retro sunglasses | “hearts of pandora” ring {also here} | red roses bath oil {larger size here} | MICHELE deco watch | jeweled drop earrings {only $14!} | valentine candle | pointed valentines ballet flat {also available in pink/white} | 3 piece pancake set | YSL mini monogram crossbody bag | pink d’Orsay sandal {available in 5 colors – love the gold linen!}

Happy Wednesday! Another Valentine’s Day inspired Wednesday Wishes for today’s post {you can see last week’s Valentine’s Day outfit inspiration post here} and this one is all about gifts for her! I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t be happy with any of these cute Valentine’s Day-inspired gifts, especially the watch and pink bag, right?! 😉 But, as much as I love both of these splurge worthy items, it’s often unrealistic to spend that much on Valentine’s Day gifts! So I came up with some fabulous gifts in all different price ranges to provide you {and your Valentine} a little inspiration!

One of my favorite gifts on this list is this fuzzy heart pillow. Not only would it make for the cutest seasonal accent pillow, there is a great story behind it. I found this while browsing Etsy {isn’t it just the best?!} and loved the concept: the heart comes in several different colors and is priced at $29, but $1 of each sale is donated to the charity of your choice. From the Humane Society to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are a variety of charities to pick from. What a great way to give back on the holiday of love!

As for the rest of the gifts, they are definitely more traditional: I love these blush and grey jeweled drop earrings {can you believe they are only $14?! } and the “Hearts of Pandora” ring with the heart detailing on the side. My engagement ring and wedding band have similar detailing so this ring especially caught my eye! And of course shoes are always a fabulous gift idea and these pointed toe heart flats are just way too festive!

Hope this gives you {and your Valentine!} a little gift inspiration before next week! Have a wonderful Wednesday and see you back here tomorrow!

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Geometric Blanket Scarf

by Rachel McCarthy
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Lush tunic {on sale – only a few sizes left!} | Shein blanket scarf c/o | Zella leggings | novelstyle gold geometric necklace c/o {use code “Rachel20” for 20% off & free shipping!} | Stuart Weitzman OTK boots {similar style under $100!} | Tory Burch tote | Kate Spade watch {similar style} | David Yurman bracelets: here, here | earrings | Karen Walker sunglasses c/o Ditto Endless Eyewear {get your first month free with code ABLONDESMOMENT} | YSL lipstick {#9} 

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I had a super busy Sunday with lots of cooking — there will be some delicious recipes coming your way in the next few weeks! On the snow front, as you can see, it is melting slowly but surely, which means that I can finally break out my OTK boots again! The OTK boot season seems to be relatively short for us — it’s still too warm in October and early November to wear them, and December through February means the possibility of snow and anything after that, well it’s spring! Let’s just say I like to find every opportunity to wear these boots — when the weather cooperates! And that also goes for finding new ways to wear them. When I saw this blanket scarf, I just knew these boots were the perfect accessory. And blanket scarves aren’t just for the fall! This cozy scarf works for any chilly day and can be worn SO many different ways! I always love the versatility of blanket scarves.

How cute is this geometric necklace?! I love to pair a dainty necklace with this v-neck tunic, it’s the perfect match! So when I saw this cute and fun shape, I knew it was made to be worn with this tunic. This geometric necklace is definitely a hit for me, even though that wasn’t the case for the subject of geometry in high school 🙂 I will be sharing another look from novelstyle next week, but until then, use the code “Rachel20” for 20% off and free shipping! 

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday and see you tomorrow for a brand new Valentine’s Day recipe! Thanks for dropping by!

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Black & Winter Whites

by Rachel McCarthy
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Happy Thursday, friends! Hope you are all having a fabulous week! Our week was slightly shorten since the Federal government was closed Monday and Tuesday from the blizzard and we couldn’t get out of our street! We ventured out Sunday morning to take these pictures literally right in front of our house because we couldn’t walk anywhere! As you can see, the sun has been coming out, so hopefully that will help all this snow melt more quickly!

And since we had all this snow and this pretty backdrop, I figured it was the perfect time to break out the winter whites! And since black and white is the perfectly classic combination, I couldn’t resist pairing it with this black furry coat! Although it’s definitely a fashion coat, I must say it’s pretty warm too! Cozy and cute is always a great combination 🙂 Can you believe it’s under $25?! This is definitely a steal!


I mentioned a few posts ago how I have been using this Lancome lip crayon {#300} as a base for an everyday look {you can read the post here}. I tried another color from the collection {Drive To Pink} for today’s post and it is the perfect bright pink! I have quite a few pink lipsticks, but I have to say I love the creaminess of this Lancome lip crayon and that it’s super easy to apply. Oh, and it’s a perfect match for new bright pink clutch! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Not much planned on our end. Hoping I can get caught up on some food posts to share with you in the coming weeks since that wasn’t an option last weekend! Thanks for dropping by and see you Monday!

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Valentine’s Day Outfit Inspiration

by Rachel McCarthy
valentines-day-outfit-ideas
cashmere long sleeve t-shirt {neon orchid, comes in 32 colors!} | catching light tennis bracelet {on sale!} | “Aurora” drop earrings | diptyque ‘eau rose’ roll-on perfume | gel lab pro nail color {the pleasure principle} | bracelet watch | scallop clutch {only $21!} | pointy toe pump | creme lip color {fresh raspberry} | midi skirt {on sale!}

Today’s Wednesday Wishes is dedicated to creating a fabulous look for Valentine’s Day look! Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to break out the reds, pinks and purples…personally I like to think of it as a great time to start incorporating spring colors into your wardrobe! Obviously, I don’t have a hard time coming up with a reason to wear pink but I guess wearing extensive amounts is more acceptable around this holiday 😉

First of all, how cute is this skirt?! I love the mixture of the hot pink and soft purple. It compliments this cashmere shirt so perfectly too! I have one of these cashmere shirts and I just love it. It is super soft and comes in 32 colors {!!!} — some of the colors are even currently on sale! And with all the color going on with the skirt and top, I love the idea of pairing this outfit with the nude or blush shoes and clutch. This really allows this statement skirt to make a statement! 

Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and see you back here tomorrow for an all new {super snowy!} outfit post!

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Best Fashion Finds of 2015

by Rachel McCarthy
best-fashion-finds-2015
Happy Tuesday! As I mentioned yesterday, we have been snowed in since Friday so I wasn’t able to get to the store to buy any food for a food post…so I am recapping a few of my favorite fashion finds from 2015. Last week, I talked about my favorite beauty finds from 2015 {you can read that post here in case you missed it!} and as with last week’s post, I have purchased all these items and just can’t get enough of them! I would definitely consider these to be staple pieces in my closet. 

Zella ‘Live In’ Leggings: They aren’t kidding with the name of these! You may notice that I wear these a lot, but they are so comfortable and perfect for not only dressing up but also working out! I have a “dress up pair” and a “workout pair” {love them for barre class!} and they come in a variety of colors and prints. I’m definitely looking to buy another pair, I just can’t decide what color/print! And be on the lookout because Nordstrom sometimes has select colors on sale: this colorful and fun print is currently 33% off and this bright blue is 25% off — not a huge fan of blue, but this color is gorgeous! FYI, they are true to size! {Last seen HERE, HERE}

Chinese Laundry “Endless” lace-up flats: I had been searching for lace-up flats during the summer and into fall last year, but never really found a pair I loved {until these!}. Most were a little too expensive, not the right color or a combination of both. Priced at $60 these lace-up flats are not only comfortable but super cute! I have them in the black, but they also come in a camel and a pretty rose color, perfect for spring and summer! I found that they are true to size and I wear them all the time. Well, that is before all this snow hit! {Last seen HERE, HERE}

Karen Walker Super Duper Strength Sunglasses & Prada Cat Eye Sunglasses: Ok, so I couldn’t pick one! I love both of these sunglasses equally, but for different reasons. The Karen Walker sunnies are fun and very ’70s with the big tortoise frames. They are definitely my go-to when it comes to accessorizing with brown/tortoise sunglasses. But, when it comes to creating a classic look, I can never pass up my Prada Cat Eye sunnies. They are the definition of classic and pair well with anything from a fancy dress to a t-shirt and jeans. Although they are both priced on the higher side, I actually picked up my Karen Walker sunglasses during Shopbop’s sale back in October, and I saw that the Prada sunglasses were included in the last Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. So keep your eyes peeled, they do go on sale!! {Karen Walker sunnies seen HERE; Prada sunnies seen HERE}

Nordstrom Round Stud Earrings: Priced below $100, these are my favorite everyday earrings! These sparkly studs are cubic zirconia but shine just like the real thing! Considered to be about 3.5 ct., they are a great size for everyday wearing, and pretty much what I wear to work each day! I can’t tell you how many times people have stopped me to compliment my earrings, thinking they were real diamonds because they glitter so much! I have the “sterling platinum” but they are also available in “gold vermeil.” {Last seen HERE}

Hunter Original High Gloss Boot: I had been wanting Hunter boots for the longest time, but couldn’t decide on a color or glossiness. I always thought I wanted the more matte boot, thinking the high gloss was too glossy for me. But, after seeing the red high gloss in person, I realized it wasn’t nearly as glossy as it appeared online and decided to go with this one! There are so many colors to pick from, it really makes for a hard decision. I still have my eye on the hot pink pair though! How pretty is this color?! As for size, I’m pretty much always a 9.5 but went with a 9 in my Hunter boots. {Last seen HERE}

J.Crew Striped Tissue Turtleneck: I swear by these J.Crew tissue turtlenecks! My most recent tissue turtleneck purchase was this striped version — I love wearing it under ponchos and sweaters, it makes for the best layering piece! I also have it in a few solid colors too — it is currently available in 10 colors!! It’s super light making it ideal for fall and winter layering. And if you don’t want to wear it under a sweater, you can have it monogrammed for the perfect personalized touch! {Last seen HERE}

J.Crew Chambray Shirt: Another J.Crew favorite! I love this chambray shirt because it can be worn practically every season! In the winter, you can wear it under a sweater or vest for a cozy look and in the summer pair it with shorts or a skirt! It’s such a versatile piece and something everyone should have in their closet! You can pretty much find a chambray shirt at most stores, but I love this particular one from J.Crew because it’s a great shade and so soft! {Last seen HERE}

Tory Burch Robinson Multi Tote, updated style here: My husband gave me this bag for my birthday back in November and I have basically been carrying it everyday since! I had been looking for a camel/neutral color bag for the longest time and have always loved this Tory Burch one. With the two zip compartments and the optional shoulder strap, it makes for the perfect daily bag for me to take to work. This was definitely one of my favorite pieces from 2015! {Last seen HERE}

Tory Burch Junction Riding Boot {currently on sale!}: These brown riding boots have had my eye for quite some time now! And, I was so excited to open them from my husband on Christmas morning! These boots are the epitome of the classic equestrian style and I love the cut-out Tory Burch logo at the top of the boot. You may remember seeing them in this post, but I unfortunately haven’t been able to wear them much with the snow. Looking forward to this snow melting and breaking out my boots again! {Last seen HERE}

Sorry for the super long post! There was so much to say about all these fabulous finds from 2015! Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday and see you back here tomorrow for an all new Valentine’s Day inspired Wednesday Wishes! 

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#snowzilla

by Rachel McCarthy
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J.Crew pink turtleneck, only a few sizes left {similar style} | Old Navy green utility jacket | Current/Elliot jeans | J.Crew beanie, pink longer available {camel & ivory version, on sale!} | Sperry snow boots | Lancome lipstick {#200}, NARS lipgloss {turkish delight}

Happy Monday and welcome to the winter wonderland of DC! As you can see, we did get a little snow…30 inches to be exact!! Jonas/Snowzilla/Blizzard of 2016 did not disappoint. These pictures were taken Saturday morning so we have a lot more on the ground now. In fact, we are still snowed in, and it’s probably going to be like this for awhile. And due to our current “stuck in the house until further notice” status, I unfortunately don’t have a food post for you tomorrow because I haven’t been able to get to the store! I promise to have a brand new food post for you next week {assuming we can ever get out!}, but don’t worry, I do have another favorites of 2015 post prepared for you, so be sure to come back tomorrow!

Since being snowed in, there are a few things I have learned in the past few days:

(1) I LOVE this beanie and I’m so glad I bought it right after Thanksgiving. I never really thought I was going to need it! 

(2) We had a lot of food in our pantry, refrigerator and freezer on Friday…but now we are almost out! Hopefully we can get out later today!

(3) When the meteorologist says that the snow will be “light and powdery” it doesn’t really matter when you have 30 inches. With that much snow, regardless of it’s texture, it’s going to be super heavy!!

(4) You always have time for a workout. Except yesterday. My workout was shoveling snow instead of running on the treadmill. Snow shoveling might have been the better workout!

Although we have been stuck in the house since Friday, it was fun to see Ella in the snow. She absolutely loves it! We are pretty sure she must be 1/3 husky and not a maltese/yorkie mix because this 15 pound ball of fur can’t get enough of the powdery stuff! 

Thanks for dropping by and see you tomorrow!

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Kelly Green & Fuchsia

by Rachel McCarthy

If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, I’m sure you have heard about this weekend’s forecast: snow, and lots of it. And since we live outside the city in Virginia, the latest forecast I saw was somewhere in the range of 18-24+ inches. What is that “+” suppose to mean?! So for those of us who are fighting the snowy, winter blues, here is one bright and colorful look in hopes that spring will be here sooner rather than later!


{As a side note, if you look closely, you can see snowflakes in some of these pictures! When we shot these pictures on Sunday, it had just started snowing and it was SO cold! So if you are wondering what the tiny white specks are in the pictures, it’s snow!}

When it comes to my favorite colors, I can’t think of anything better than pink and green — and throw some leopard in and I’m set! For me, there is something so perfect about this color combination, especially when the green happens to be this gorgeous Kelly green color! When I first saw this dress from Dainty Jewell’s I knew I had to have it. The details of this dress perfectly compliment my style: the lace overlay, modest midi length and of course the bright color. I am more and more drawn to the midi and maxi dress and skirt lengths and Dainty Jewell’s has a fabulous selection! I also love this velvet and lace dress, how cute are the bow details on the back?! And with spring and summer wedding season just around the corner, these dresses would be perfect for your bridesmaids!


Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and it’s not too snowy! See you back here Monday for an all new post!


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Best Beauty Finds of 2015

by Rachel McCarthy
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Happy Wednesday! I have been meaning to post this for at least two weeks now and keep forgetting! As we start a new year, I definitely want to incorporate more beauty posts into the rotation. So, to kick this new category off, I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty discoveries of 2015. I have purchased {and in many cases, re-purchased!} all of these items and have loved each of them! 



Clarisonic Brush with Cashmere Cleanse Brush & Gentle Hydro Cleanser: One of my favorite beauty finds of 2015 has to be the Clarisonic brush. I had debated purchasing one for awhile and much to my surprise, my mom bought me one last February! Needless to say, I was pretty excited. I have super dry and sensitive skin and have found this brush and cleanser to be the best thing that has ever happened to my skin!

Bond No. 9 – Washington Square Park: This is by far my favorite scent of all time! It is definitely more of a fall/winter scent so I am always anxiously awaiting the cool weather to be able to wear this! With scents of purple rose, amber, leather and geranium {just to name a few!} it has the warmest scent that will truly last all day. It is priced on the higher side, but my current bottle {which I just ran out of!!} has lasted me over 2 years {**although I do only wear it during the colder months**}. It’s definitely worth the investment!!

diptyque “Baies” Scented Candle: I never was much of a candle enthusiast until I met my husband. I always saw candles to be HUGE fire hazard and I was way to cautious to ever actually burn one haha! But then I was introduced to this candle and since then, I am most assurdedly a candle enthusiast. Or maybe just a diptyque enthusiast 😉 The mixture of roses and black currant combine for the freshest scent. I am on my third candle in the past year {oops!} and I am still not sick of it. It’s the perfect candle for your bedroom or bathroom!

CND Weekly Nail Polish: I have mentioned my love for this polish in a few posts {see here} and I still can’t stop talking about it! This weekly polish lasts just about a week and only takes about 10 minutes to dry {win-win}! One of the things I hate most about polishing my nails is the dry time. I cannot stand just sitting around doing nothing while my nails dry! This polish was definitely invented to compliment the hectic lifestyle! Currently my favorite colors from CND are this soft pink {#135} and this red {#158}. Still trying to get my hands on this dark purple {159}!

Essie Gel Setter: When I can’t find a CND weekly color that I’m in the mood for, I usually use this gel setter. In my experience, I find that the polish doesn’t dry quite as quickly and it doesn’t last as long as the weekly polish, but the plus side is that you can use any regular polish you have in your collection. My current favorites include this basic, everyday nude color {ballet slippers} and this bright pink {pansy}!

Pink Lipstick: Lancôme Lip Crayon {#200}, NARS lipgloss {turkish delight} and YSL {#31}. Well, I couldn’t just pick one pink lipstick because I have too many favorites! And, as far as I am concerned, you can never have enough pink lipsticks! Typically I like to use this lip crayon as a base and put this lipgloss over top for a glossy appearance. So that only counts as one, right? 🙂 And although I have a few favorites when it comes to bright pink lipsticks, this YSL color definitely takes the cake. Not only is it the perfect color but it’s also much creamier than other YSL lipsticks, making it so much easier to apply. 

Beautycounter Foundation & Face Oil: You may remember several months ago I did a review of Beautycounter products {see post here}. And since sharing my amazing experience with you back in June, I haven’t stopped using these fabulous Beautycounter products! I think it’s safe to say I am addicted! Both the foundation and face oil are a perfect match for my dry and sensitive skin and above all, the products are safe. I also use the daily body lotion and it smells absolutely amazing!

L’occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream: My skin is always so dry, but in the winter, it’s just awful! I recently discovered this dry skin hand cream and I’m obsessed with it! There is a pretty high percentage of shea butter in this hand cream so it makes your hands super soft. Just recently, I have been mixing this cream with a little of the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Miracle Oil. Use this oil on your face, body or hair and it leaves your skin moisturized for up to 12 hours! It truly has been a miracle for my hands!

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium: This is my favorite hairspray of all time! Not only does it smell SO good, but it’s light and flexible and doesn’t leave a sticky residue like so many hairsprays do. This is definitely my go-to when it comes to hairspray!

Thanks so much for stopping by and see you tomorrow for an all new outfit post!

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