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Upon walking into Bliss at 5812, I almost immediately picked out this jumpsuit. I have always had a thing for jumpsuits because the whole its-a-one-piece makes for easy outfit decisions. They also make me feel empowered and want to strut like a supermodel down the streets of RVA – and in this instance, down Grove Avenue. I know we keep saying & showing our love for all black get-ups and here is another. Black is. just. so. versatile. How are you styling your favorite black pieces this fall?

ps. Stay tuned this week for more pictures of the Bliss shop and words from owners Brooke & Kate.

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Big Magic

What was the last book you read and truly savored? (You know, one that you never wanted to finish because you enjoyed the process of reading it more than you cared about knowing the end.) Up until about a week ago, my answer to this question was “40 Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak. When I finished “40 Rules of Love,” I thought about it for days and days and days. I envied people who hadn’t read it yet because they got to read “40 Rules of Love” in all of it’s wonder for the first time. Over this past week I found myself savoring “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert as much as I did Shafak’s novel.

I have had “Big Magic” for 7 days and am only on page 25. This is unusual for moi considering I tend to speed read through books that I’m excited about. So far, I can’t tell you what it is exactly about this book that is causing me to put my speed reading habits aside except for the fact that the message is beautifully empowering. I’ll figure out in detail why it resonates with me so much one of these days but for now, if you are in need of some shiny new inspiration – check Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book out.

PS: I am wearing this HM top.

Posted while listening to: 10,000 Emerald Pools by BORNS

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Halloween Costume: Brandon Flowers

Disclaimer: this post reveals a Nordstrom giveaway at the very end!Halloween is hands down my all time favorite holiday. Ever since I was little, deciding what I was going to be for Halloween was always a decision I took very seriously and seemed to make way earlier than other kids. Yes, I was the girl asking what my friends were going to be for Halloween seven months in advance. From a 50s girl, to Chipper Jones (tomboy phase, don’t ask), to Mary Kate Olsen, I’d like to think I was a pretty well rounded (prepared) Halloween dresser upper.

The unforgettable person that inspired my love of Halloween (and fashion, for that matter) was my Aunt Mary. If there was ever a queen of Halloween, she was it. She always helped me with my costume growing up and sent me Halloween care packages when I was away at college. My aunt made Halloween care packages a thing.. a very much anticipated thing at that. She loved the idea of dressing up in costume and her Halloween spirit was infectious. She passed away a couple of years ago, and to this day – I get a little more outrageous on Halloween in her honor.

I decided to dress up as the lead singer of The Killers, Brandon Flowers. Rebecca and I saw him in concert this summer and I pretty much fell head over heels for him (don’t judge until you see him live.) Anyways, Brandon’s thing was feather epaulettes and lets be real, who turns down an excuse to unapologetically wear feather epaulettes? When I went down one of my I’m-obsessed-with-Brandon-Flowers rabbit holes via google, I found this quote in regards to his feelings on his signature feathery Dior blazer:

“The feather epaulettes were my most fabulous style statement. When I get into the jacket I feel good and very triumphant. It’s the old cliche of putting the mask on. I don’t know if I could get up in front of 70,000 people at festivals without my feathers on.”

Brandon, if you’re reading this – I feel pretty triumphant in my blazer adorned with feather epaulettes too and don’t mind switching out your festival-ocassion for my Halloween celebration. Thanks for the inspo, bud.

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Dancing on My Own

In the spirit of Halloween being in the October air, let’s start with a question about silly fear. What do you do that scares you or that causes you to step outside your comfort zone?

“Do one thing a day that scares you” can be found amongst numerous self help articles, books, and well…the Lululemon manifesto. Basically, it’s everywhere. I have come to reference this sound advice often, even in important situations like when debating dancing/singing to Shania Twain by myself in my car sans tinted windows. Why yes, this is my little way of scaring myself once a day: dancing and singing loudly while driving (hands on the wheel, obvi) when others can clearly see me. Do they care? No. Does it scare me still? Eh, kinda.

Confession: I consider what strangers around me think and I scare myself out of it by dancing obnoxiously in my car anyway. Ridiculous as it may seem, what I’m trying to say is I’m not one for facing my fear by sky diving or haunted hay rides or bungee jumping or roller coasters or anything the average joe would consider scary or at the very least, an adrenaline rush. I stare my fear right in the face by dancing visibly in my car by myself to super-dee-duper fun pop music in plain sight. We all have to start somewhere as the self-help gurus also say and at this rate…maybe I’ll watch a scary movie by the time I’m 50.

Posted while listening to: “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn

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Reb’s Wedding

If you’ve been following along with us for the past few months it comes as no surprise to you that I (Rebecca) got married in July. We have finally received the most gorgeous photos from J&D Photography and wanted to share some of them with you! It was so must fun having Cath along for the ride with me from the beginning. She helped me articulate my vision for the perfect day and helped to make that vision a reality.

I wore the dress that my mother and grandmother both wore and had it restored by our family friend, Jahee Kwon. She did the most fantastic job. I could go on and on about all of the details but I will let the photos speak for themselves and share some tidbits when I think necessary 🙂
The bridesmaids got ready in a little Ralph Lauren Number, I wore the Wildfox Couture Bride Robe (which I still wear on the reg) and of course we drank Veuve Clicquot.

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Wish list Wednesday

If you’re like us, a new season means a long wish list for the upcoming climate conditions, upcoming weather appropro activities, and, well, … upcoming anything. Any excuse to shop is a good excuse in our book. We rounded up some pieces that we are pining over in the online shopping scene for your viewing pleasure. Along with pieces to bring our wardrobe into these early days of Fall (we are into everything flare if you can’t tell), we also included an oh-so-plush robe that just screams skip work and wear me all day. Dangerous as it may sound, sometimes as it gets colder a girl just needs a luxurious candle and an uber comfortable robe to fight the climate changes and by fight, we mean hibernate. What do you have on your wish list for Fall?

Lifestyle

Pumpkin Spice (Up Your Life!)

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A Classic Case of the Mondays

What do you do when you wake up with a classic case of the Mondays? Whenever I wake up moving slower than I’d like and with a lack of motivation on a Monday, I try to remedy this less than ideal situation asap. (Disclaimer: some days it works more effectively than others.) My first move (besides waking up) is to get a nice, strong cup of joe. I know everyone has a different preference when it comes to strong coffee, but when I’m looking to put a big ole pep in my step, I grab a large iced coffee to combat the tiredness. After that mission is accomplished, I get all scholarly and consult my book of quotes for the mental part of my case of mondays. I have a few go-to’s* that help me shift my perspective from “another-work-week-FML-i-want-to -stay-in-bed-I-hate-my-alarm-I-hate-everything” to “a-new-week-equals-a-new-beginning-and-you-only-live-once-maybe-i-should-turn-on-drake.” All cathclaire gibberish aside, I try to shift my perspective from negative to positive. Maybe my simple two part remedy elicits a mere placebo effect but hey, I’ll take it.

“Leave some room in your heart for the unimaginable” – Mary Oliver
“Just look at life with more playful eyes. Don’t be serious. Seriousness becomes like a blindness. Don’t pretend to be a thinker, a philosopher. Just simply be a human being. The whole world is showering its joy on you in so many ways, but if you are too serious, you cannot open your heart.” – Osho
“Set your life on fire — seek those who fan your flames.” – Rumi
“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.” – Earl Nightengale

Posted while listening to “The Motto” – Drake

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flare out

Labor Day weekend has come and gone and as memorable as it was, I am having a hard time not thinking about summer coming to an end. We have 11 days left until the Summer Equinox and I feel like I need to make a bucket list to celebrate the end of one of my favorite season, just to be sure I cover all of my summer must-do bases. I can appreciate bundling up next to a bonfire in a chunky knit or cheering on Virginia Tech Hokie football as much as the next person, but it is hard to compete with the joy that summer brings to me. After all, what’s not to like about the long, sunny days & the way a Corona tastes in the heat of a summer? Here’s to appreciating this beautiful season for the next 11 days!

Posted while listening to On The Way Home by John Mayer

Lifestyle Lookbook Travel

Our Insta Summer

Collaboration with Bahama Shop boutique near the Ocean Front in Virginia Beach. Rebecca’s wedding at The Omni Homestead Resort. Happy Hour at Lemaire in The Jefferson Hotel.
Brunch at The Boathouse, Short Pump. Free People Richmond #Summerdays event with 1213 Hair Salon. Beach Bar in St. John, USVI. Blenheim Vineyards, Charlottesville, VA. Home of delightful Rose.

Catherine with Tony Oller of MKTO after their concert in Richmond.The Crystal Press event with Ocie New York designer, Sarah Littlejohn. Reb on her Honeymoon at Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica.Rebecca’s Rehearsal Dinner at the Shooting Club at The Omni Homestead.
Rebecca’s bachelorette party in Isle of Palms, SC.
Hilton Ocean Front, Virginia Beach.