Category: fashion

all black everything {plus leopard}

by Rachel McCarthy
black-leather-leggings
silver-accessories
black-fur-cabi-vest
leopard-loafers
black-faux-fur-vest
black-nordstrom-felt-floppy-hat
Blouse | Fur Vest, CAbi last season {similar here} | Faux Leather Leggings, CAbi last season {similar here & here} | Hat | Sunglasses | Loafers {similar here & love these} | Bag | Earrings, less expensive version here & here | Bracelets: here & Sabika, similar here | Watch | Ring | Lipstick, Lipgloss 

Happy Thursday everyone! Sharing another post about one of my favorite pieces in my closet — this CAbi faux fur vest. I have found so many ways to style this vest from fall into winter and I wanted to share this all black look {with a pop of leopard!} today. I love a chic, all black look but I think it’s also fun to mix a bright color or pattern in to make it a little fun too. 

 Looking at the long range forecast, this might be my last time wearing my faux fur vest this season and although I will be sad to put it away, I am very much looking forward to the warmer weather and spring clothes that are ahead! And I had to wear my hat one more time too, it’s one of my favorite accessories! 😉 

Have a fabulous day and thanks for dropping by! 
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blush + black

by Rachel McCarthy
blush-black-outfit-inspiration
Splurge: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. 

Save: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. 

On today’s Wednesday Wishes, I am continuing my picks for transitioning into spring. I have been gravitating more and more to the lighter pinks this season, so I have included some of my favorite ways to incorporate this light, blush color into your wardrobe now. I thinking pairing blush accessories with a simple black top or sweater is the perfect way to bring a little spring to your look. I love this look with the blush heels, but you could easily swap the heels for a flat for a more casual vibe. And how fabulous are these sunglasses?! I love that the cat eye shape is so dramatic and how it instantly makes the look glamorous!  
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more spring inspiration, including my new favorite candle! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

pink & chambray

by Rachel McCarthy
j.crew-chambray-shirt
pink-cabi-jeans
gold-clutch

l.k-bennett-sledge-pumps
chambray-shirt
pink-jeans-chambray-shirt
Chambray top | CAbi Jeans c/o | Nude pumps {under $100 here}  | Gold clutch {similar here, under $150 here} | Sunglasses | Necklace | Earrings | Bracelets: similar here, here, here & here | Watch | Ring | Lipstick, Gloss | Nail Polish {Fiji}

Happy Monday! As you can see, we got some snow this weekend. As if the snowstorm we had earlier last week wasn’t enough, another 9 inches fell Saturday! There was a quick spike in the temperature yesterday {nearly 50!} so needless to say, there is water EVERYWHERE!! 

While being snowed in on Saturday, I was more inspired than ever to start styling my spring wardrobe. I am definitely in transition mode now that it is the end of February, and these nectar CAbi jeans are the perfect early spring transition piece! As much as I wanted to break out the bright colors to wear with these comfy jeans {check back in a few weeks for that look 😉 } I opted for something more conservative and perfect for 50 degrees we experienced yesterday! 

These nectar jeans are some of the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn. Not only are they super soft, but I haven’t noticed the typical “jean stretch” that all jeans seem to do. I don’t know about you, but with most jeans, I find myself constantly pulling up my jeans — is it not the most annoying thing?! I have yet to notice that with these perfect for spring jeans, which makes me love them even more! 

I am very much looking forward to incorporating more spring colors into my wardrobe, and styling these jeans again once the temperatures increase. 

You can see how I styled another one of my favorite CAbi pieces from the Spring 2015 Collection here by mixing fall pieces with a new spring top 🙂 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! 

Here is an outtake from today’s post. As I mentioned, the snow was melting and there was water everywhere! My UGG boots were the only way to go 😉

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pink & bows

by Rachel McCarthy
pink-cabi-coat
j.crew-distressed-jeans
black-pumps
blush-pink-coat-with-bow
pink-coat-bow
black-gloves-with-bow

Jacket: CAbi, Fall 2014 Collection {similar splurge here, save here & here} Turtleneck: J.Crew | Jeans: J.Crew | Shoes: Joan & David | Bag: Modalu {great alternative & I love the colors!} | Necklace: J.Crew, sold out {love this one} | Watch: Kate Spade {on sale!} | Earrings: Nordstrom | Gloves: Cornelia James, similar here | Sunglasses: Prada | Lipstick: MAC {Creme Cup} 


I cannot get enough pink this week on A Blonde’s Moment! Tuesday I shared a black and white look {with hot pink lipstick} and yesterday in Wednesday Wishes, I named my picks in the “think pink” trend for spring. This CAbi Collection coat is one of my favorite pieces from the Fall 2014 Collection {last seen here} and I love finding different ways to style it. The only thing that can make a pink coat better in my book is a pink coat with a bow! And since it has been super cold here recently, I had to pair this coat with my side bow gloves on this chilly day! 


Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!


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think pink

by Rachel McCarthy
pink-outfit-inspiration

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12.

Happy Wednesday! It’s no secret that I am completely obsessed with pink. I always try to incorporate my favorite color into my wardrobe, no matter what season. But, with spring on the horizon, I am absolutely loving all the pink I have been seeing in the stores! I normally gravitate towards hot pink, but I am really starting to love the pale, blush pink more and more. I am especially obsessed with this Ted Baker handbag — this nude/pale pink/blush color would work perfectly with so many pieces in my closet, I think it would be the perfect accessory for spring and summer! 

I went a little crazy on this week’s Wednesday Wishes, but there are SO many great pink pieces I just can’t get enough of! So, I have included some more of my favorites below that you can browse through 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

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black + white

by Rachel McCarthy
black-white-plaid-scarf
black-white-winter-look
silver-burberry-watch
hot-pink-mac-lipstick
black-jacket-with-bow
Jacket: CAbi, old {similar here} | Turtleneck: J.Crew | Jeans: J.Crew | Scarf: J.Crew, sold out {under  $30 here} | Boots: Unisa {similar here} | Bag: Chanel {under $200 here} | Watch: Burberry | Bracelets: Sabika {similar here}, David Yurman: here, here, here | Ring: David Yurman | Earrings: Nordstrom | Sunglasses: Prada | Lipstick: MAC {Candy Yum-Yum} | Nail polish: Essie {Mademoiselle}

Happy Tuesday everyone! It was absolutely FREEZING here this weekend! And as you can see, we had snow on the ground from a crazy blizzard Saturday night. But these pictures were taken before the Monday snowstorm which has left us with even more snow. And with the cold temperatures forecasted for the rest of the week, it looks like this snow is sticking around for a while. 

Today I am breaking all the rules with wearing white. Usually, I keep my white jeans in the summer section of my closet, but I decided to be adventurous and break them out {maybe this is just me hoping spring is near!} Regardless, I have to admit, I am loving this winter white trend! I think pairing the white jeans with all black really gives you a chic look that is totally acceptable for winter, even in the freezing temperatures and snow 🙂 

How do you feel about the traditional wearing white rule? Have you tried the winter white trend? Let me know in the comments section below. Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for dropping by!

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nordstrom sale

by Rachel McCarthy
nordstrom-sale-picks
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. 

Happy Friday! Just a quick post today to share some of my favorite items in the Nordstrom Clearance Sale! It’s a sale you don’t want to miss — up to 40% off select styles! Sale ends February 22nd!

Have a fabulous long weekend everyone! As always, thanks for stopping by!

P.S. I have included some more favorites from the sale that you can click through below 🙂


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happy valentine’s day

by Rachel McCarthy
red-chic-wish-midi-skirt
mark & graham-leopard-clutch
chambray-blouse-midi-skirt
red-midi-skirt
prada-sunglasses
Shirt: J.Crew | Skirt: Chic Wish {similar here} | Clutch: Mark & Graham | Pumps: Joan & David {love these too!} | Sunglasses: Prada | Watch: Kate Spade | Bracelets: David Yurman: here, here, here, Nordstrom {similar here} | Ring: David Yurman | Earrings: Nordstrom | Lips: Lipliner: MAC {cherry} Lipstick: YSL {#13} | Nails: Essie {Allure}

Happy Thursday! Here is one last outfit inspiration for Valentine’s Day! I bought this Chic Wish skirt to wear around Christmas {you may also remember it from this Wednesday Wishes!} and I am so happy that I keep finding new ways to style it! As I mentioned earlier this week, the temperatures were quite mild this past weekend, and I was beyond excited to break out my J.Crew chambray shirt. I love that this shirt can make this look casual but dressy at the same time; and it’s the perfect way to transition this skirt into spring! And isn’t leopard and red always a fabulous combination?! 🙂 Since the temperatures will be dropping this weekend in the DC area, I will be most likely styling this skirt with a warm sweater for Saturday!! But for those living in a warmer climate, this is the perfect way to dress Valentine’s Day festive! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for dropping by!

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transition time

by Rachel McCarthy
winter-to-spring-transition-outfit-inspiration
Splurge: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8.       ////       Save: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8.

Happy Wednesday! After the warm temperatures we experienced last weekend here in DC, I am already starting to think about transitioning my closet to spring. Although the high this Sunday is only suppose to be 18 degrees, {how is that even possible with 60’s last weekend?!} I’m definitely in the mood for some spring colors, prints and textures! For me, I find the best way to begin this winter to spring transition is by incorporating spring pieces into my winter wardrobe. Both of these floral blouses scream spring and work well no matter your budget! The pop of blue in this coat also brightens the outfit, while still providing warmth in the colder months. Lastly, I love soft pink or neutral nail polish and lipstick to complete the outfit. I have been stuck on this soft Essie color lately, it helps me believe that spring is really just around the corner!


Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

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half marathon training

by Rachel McCarthy

Shirt: Lululemon, last season {similar here} | Jacket: CAbi, similar here | Running tights: Lululemon | Shoes: Nike {new version here} | Earrings: Nordstrom | Lipgloss: NARS {Turkish Delight}


Ella’s harness: Puppia 


Happy Monday! Today I am sharing my half marathon training plan. Training has been taking up such a huge part of my life recently {I just finished my 19 mile week!} that I thought I would give you a glimpse of the daily schedule! I only have time for three runs per week, while cross training is recommended for Tuesdays and Thursdays. In my past two years running in this race, I have found this plan to work perfectly with the rest of my life! This will be my third time running the half and I’m hoping for my best time yet. Someday, I would love to run a full marathon, but I will need a lot more time to make that happen! 


The weather took an amazing turn this weekend and we took full advantage of it! With the high close to 60 degrees yesterday, it was such a nice change from the 14 degree weather we were experiencing last weekend. And you can see the snow has finally melted!


Ella wanted to get in on the training action this weekend…she makes a pretty good sprint partner! She may not be able to do the long distance, but those little legs love to spring {just one or two of them though 😉 } 

Here is the training schedule I have adapted to fit my life. Everyone is different so I can’t say this will work for anyone else, but it’s important to find a plan that works for you since you will be the one doing it!