Hello, I'm Julie! I've made my way from Maine to Boston to Pittsburgh to Philly... and back again, and blogged about it along the way. Currently: Portland, ME. Check out my About page or F.A.Q. below to learn more about me. Thanks for reading!
Happy Friday, folks. After a slow couple of weeks, I'm feeling inspired again, which feels pretty damn good. It's funny how much of a role momentum plays in blogging, it's sort of like working out, you stop for a bit and suddenly it becomes harder and harder to start back up again. Anyway, what are you up to this weekend? As much as I don't want to, I absolutely need to do some spring cleaning tomorrow. Then Chris and I were hoping to go hiking on Sunday, but guess what? RAIN. Every time we have a day off together -- it rains! So we're thinking we might check out some antique places or something. I'm heading up to Maine next weekend, so I'll be preparing for my trip a bit, too. I can't wait. Have a good one!
This year, for the first time in what seems like forever, it actually feels like we're getting a real, true spring. Cooler days, interspersed with temps reaching the high 70s, spring flowers lingering on the trees, and April making good on its reputation for 'April showers' (it's been so rainy!). Rather than just jumping right into summer maxi dresses and easy, breezy fabrics, I've actually been delving into spring style this year, and thinking of ways to make the transition from cold to warm weather a little easier. Here in the Northeast, I've never thought it necessary to have a full spring wardrobe, the change of seasons is usually so drastic that 'spring' is about two weeks long, going from snowy days to 80% humidity in no time flat, but, like I said, this year is different, and it's been necessary to actually think about spring style, rather than just biding my time.
Regarding the trends I've seen pop up this spring, there are two things I'm especially appreciative of:
1. Comfort is back in the form of sneakers and looser silhouettes.
and
2. With a few tweaks, it's fairly easy to make pieces currently hanging in your closet feel fresh again, either with a simple DIY or just rethinking the way you wear it.
Below are a few ways I'm updating my closet for the current weather. Perfect for the cooler days we've been having and super easy to transition with lighter pieces once the temperature inevitably skyrockets in like, five days:
Add one awesome accessory: After years of over-accessorizing, I've been paring back with just a couple of rings, a favorite bracelet, or just a lace tied around my neck. Spring and summer are a time to go minimal. You don't want to be weighed down by too much jewelry or a heavy handbag when the temperature is warm and adventure is calling. Keep it simple and let one great piece compliment and elevate the rest of your look, I recently picked up the arrowhead necklace pictured above from Moorea Seal, and love it paired with white-on-white jeans and a tee and black boots.
click on images to shop
Embrace a new silhouette: I don't know about you, but lately I just haven't had the energy for skinny jeans. Know what I mean? The thought of wrangling myself into tight denim just isn't my thing these days, which has turned out to be a really good thing! The variety of silhouettes available lately for denim and beyond means experimenting with different shapes is easier than ever. Loose denim, until recently, reminded me a little too much of my slouchy high school self, but after purchasing a couple pairs of Levi's, I'm all in. I especially love the Wedgie Icon and 501 CT cuts, they're so flattering, so comfortable and work with both flats and heels, depending on your mood. While you're at it, grab a pair of flares, you won't be sorry. Avoid feeling like a high schooler by pairing them with low-heeled boots, a simple top, and minimal accessories.
Grab some sneakers: Holy jesus am I happy sneakers are a thing. I mean, not that they were never a thing, but their popularity means that the options on hand are seemingly endless and readily available. I just picked up a pair of checkered Vans, and can't wait to pair them with jeans now, and simple dresses and skirts later. Also, now's your chance to finally get those shell toes you always wanted in high school, but could never afford (or was that just me??). Either way, sneakers-with-everything, and my feet have never been happier.
Go off-the-shoulders: I love how an off-the-shoulder top or dress instantly adds intrigue to virtually any outfit. It's an easy look to pull off, and the interest added by bared shoulders means the rest of the outfit can be left pretty minimal. Maybe tie a bandana around your neck, maybe add a pretty choker. Whether you do or not, you'll still look great.
Fray your hems: Yes, frayed hems have been a thing for awhile now, but if you're not digging the ultra-distressed look or are just sick of a too-long hem, this might be the cheapest and most interesting way to solve a common problem. I recently hacked off the hem of a shirt that felt a bit too 'maternity' to me, and I love the flared, slightly cropped look I ended up with. Fraying the hems of your jeans also means you can get the exact length you're looking for, no guesswork.
A couple weeks ago (how is it already the end of April?!), our FP blog intern, Emily, and I took an inspiration trip up to Storm King Sculpture Center, about an hour notrh of NYC. It's a gorgeous spot, if you've never been, and this was my first time seeing it in spring after being well-acquainted with it's autumnal appearance. Isn't it strange, visiting a place that perhaps means so much to you, but you've just not seen it in awhile? Almost like it's haunted with your past self. The vestige of footsteps, words spoken. A picture taken here or there. The last time I walked the grounds was most likely in college. We used to visit yearly to glean some inspiration for our work, and I loved wandering the rolling hills in early November, fog rising from the small pond. This time, spring was just beginning to arrive, sculptures were still coming out of hiding from their winter slumber (we were there two days after opening day), and the leaves were only just thinking about coming out. It was a gorgeous day, in the low 70's and the perfect temperature for a light jacket and sturdy boots, the perfect day to leave the city behind in favor of a little upstate beauty.
I've been feeling pretty spectacularly uninspired lately when it comes to getting dressed. Blame it on the finicky weather, or a busy schedule. But on this day I took the opportunity to break out my vintage fringe jacket, a gift from my mother a couple of Christmases ago, and threw on some comfy pants and easy boots. Something easy to move around in, easy to sit in the car in, that just happened to work out to something I actually felt quite good in.
Can't get Lou Reed's "White Light White Heat" out of my head, so might as well roll with it. Monday marked my and Chris's 13th dating anniversary, so it seemed fitting to wear a tee shirt I've had of his for about the same length of time, picked up at a punk festival in England by one of our mutual friends back in the day. With Andrew WK on my mind as well -- I can't not think of him when confronted with white jeans -- I chose my new Levi's Wedgie Icon jeans to pair with it. And my leather jacket because that's all I wear with pretty much everything. White on white isn't typically my jam, but I think it's about to be.
Also shoutout to Levi's for making me feel great about my ass 100% of the time.
Happy Friday, folks. Is it me, or did this week just draaaaag on? It was a long one for sure, but I'm so excited for the weekend. Chris and I actually have a day off together tomorrow (!!!) and we're almost overwhelmed with ideas for what to do. One thing's for sure: I want to get some sleep. I'm exhausted. And I want to go out for breakfast. On Sunday I'm excited to just relax and maybe get some things done around the house. My poor computer has been acting up lately and I think it's feeling a bit bogged down by the years and years of photos and documents sitting on it. Time to get a new external hard drive and lighten the load. What do you have planned this weekend?
I'm so excited to announce that I've started writing for The Style Line! My first feature on Millay Vintage can be read here.
April is Autism Awareness Month - What it feels like to be autistic, what it's like to gain a voice
A dress to make your Stevie Nicks dreams come true
I like creating rituals for myself. As someone who frequently does too much, takes on too many projects, it's a way for me to feel grounded when my world so often feels up in the air. For the past several years, really since leaving Massachusetts, life has felt as though it's running-running-running and not slowing down, always on to the next thing, rarely allowing myself time to breathe. It makes sense, for both Chris and I our professional careers have expanded in the past few years, and with that comes more responsibility, more time given. For that reason, and for countless others, it's become imperative that I carve out time for myself. Time to feel connected, not to my job or my commute or the million-and-one tasks that require my attention on a daily basis -- but to myself and my surroundings. My latest ritual has involved a Sunday afternoon run along the banks of the Schuylkill river. With so much of my life taking place between the small stretch of 1-95 that connects home with work, these runs have become my away game, a chance to leave my neighborhood behind and see Philly from a different perspective. Living where we do, in a place that we might not have chosen to live if it weren't for a job that brought us here, it's too easy to feel disconnected from it all. To allow life to take place within the confines of our neighborhood. We don't spend a lot of money on entertainment and prefer to cook our meals at home, which are habits, I've learned, that aren't exactly conductive to feeling "at one" with city life! So now that the weather is (sorta, kinda, not really) warming up, I've been making more of an effort to get back to exploring. As I was finishing Sunday's run -- which was miserable and cold and windy -- I experienced a brief moment of clarity as I saw the Philly skyline peeking from beyond the Art Museum, the whole scene framed by magnolia flowers. It was beautiful, really. And it made me think back to when we lived outside of Boston and I'd see runners along the Charles or along the streets of Cambridge and imagine what their city-bound lives were like. How nice it must be to run in the city! Well, now I know. Living in South Philly, the runs aren't always the most picturesque, but I've learned to seek it out where I can.
A few days ago, we sought out another corner of Philadelphia in Fairmount Park. Admittedly a place I haven't explored nearly enough, but one I hope to spend much more time in. Chris was helping me shoot these photos for work on the most freezing cold spring day, by the end my hands were frozen. But in doing so we stumbled upon the Japanese garden, and the most gorgeous flowering cherry trees. It was a complete surprise, but a welcome one on an otherwise wintery day.