Tearing Up Bethesda Row

Alright guys, I'm super excited to share today's post with y'all because my blogger bestie, Melanie Yu from La Belle Mel, snapped it for me!  We met up in Bethesda Row to get our brunch on and shoot - yay for fun photo shoots and delish noms.  BTW, if you're not following her yet, you need to STAT because she's seriously amazing at everything she does - photography, food, beauty, hair, fashion, you name it!  I literally could go on and on.

The story of how I met her is actually pretty funny.  I was teaching piano at a school called ISM, and she enrolled and was placed with me for lessons!  Small world, right?  Suffice it to say, I'm beyond glad we met because we click so well.  

Anywho, I'll stop gushing and move onto today's OOTD!  I picked this dress up online at ModCloth a while back - unfortunately, it's no longer in stock, but I've linked similar options for you guys below. I styled the piece with a lightweight cardi + wedges (courtesy of SUSI) to match.  To stay true to my simple 3-color scheme, I carried my vintage crossbody satchel, which just so happens to conveniently match my tassel detailing.

Other cute striped dresses: 

Shoes:  c/o SUSI || Dress:  ModCloth (similar) || Cardigan:  Wet Seal || Bag:  OASAP

Shot by Melanie Yu Photography.

Where to Buy Stylish Work Dresses

Hey everyone, it's time for another work-friendly ensemble on SS.  For my latest, I styled a chic but comfortable office-appropriate look for y'all.  I centered today's OOTD around my latest find from Charlotte Russe.  I picked it up a few weeks ago at their factory outlet at Arundel Mills.  It was on sale for $10 so I scooped it up quickly.  

I used to be all about Forever 21, but I converted to CR a while back.  They have a better return policy, and I like their fabrics and designs more.  Their sales are really good, and I almost always find something cute hanging in their clearance racks.  How do you guys feel about CR? Do you prefer them to F21 like me or are you team forever, well, forever?  Anywho, let's move onto today's topic of the day: where to purchase stylish but affordable work dresses.

Now, I love J. Crew, Banana, and [insert expensive retailer of choice] as much as the next, but I think a lot of their stuff is overpriced.  Is a plain black dress really worth $350?  I mean, it all depends on your budget + cost per wear, but I guarantee you can find something just as cute for a fraction of the price.  You just need to know where to go and when to buy it!  

Here are a few of my go-tos:  

Banana Republic Factory Outlet: They carry heavily discounted merchandise and offer student discounts - just make sure you bring your school ID.

Madewell:  They always have a nice clearance/sale selection, and on top of it all, they offer student + teacher discounts as well.  I've gotten knits and dresses here for less than $40 so remember, it's all about shopping smart!

H&M: Sign up for their newsletter online to get a coupon for your purchase.  I may or may not have created different email addresses in the past to take advantage of the aforementioned promo, ha.

TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, Last Call, Off 5th:  These stores carry discounted designer pieces for less so check back often!  They get new merchandise all the time so you'll never get bored browsing.

Ann Taylor Factory Outlet: They sell classic, feminine pieces for less.  Their sales racks are very well organized, and they often have extra coupons to satisfy your inner bargainista.

Talbots:  Their cuts and designs definitely target an older crowd, but I've found cute stuff here in the past so it's worth checking out.  I like their printed blouses, skirts, jewelry and dresses.  You'll have to sift through racks, but hey, patience is a virtue. It'll be well worth it when you find that one gem for $10 or so.

White House Black Market Factory Outlet:  Fashionable clothing that transitions beautifully from work to play. Their designs ooze polish and sophistication, and they always have a nice selection available at their factory outlets.

Shop my look: 

Before I leave you guys, I want to talk a bit about my tote (courtesy of Happy Rebel).  As you all know, I'm obsessed with all things animal print so I'm pretty much obsessed with it.  Plus, it's huge so it literally carries my life.  If you're looking to purchase a cool, new subscription box, make sure you check them out and let me know if you have any questions. 

Tote:  c/o Happy Rebel || Dress:  Charlotte Russe || Blazer:  Castro (similar) || Shoes:  Castro (similar) ||  Necklace:  c/o JWholesale

Shot by NYC portrait and headshot photographer, Jiyang Chen.

5 Ways to De-stress Like a Boss

Alright guys, today we're going to talk about de-stressing because, let's be real, we're all hella overworked. This is my current situation:  I'm pursuing two degrees (a doctorate and a 2nd masters), maintaining a full-time blog, teaching piano, performing, and consulting as a freelance social media consultant so, suffice it to say, I'm always running around like a crazy person.  All of my close friends are hustling like that though so I'm not complaining. After all, I don't have to do all those things - I choose to, but that doesn't mean I don't get stressed out.  I pretty much deal with an excessive amount of anxiety on the daily so stress management is key.  Here are 5 ways I deal with it!

1.  Unplug from social media.

You all know that I love social media - I mean, I am a blogger after all - but sometimes it's depressing as hell. That's because most everyone's out there putting their best foot forward (without acknowledging + addressing hardships), and you experience FOMO, jealousy, self-doubt, or [insert negative feeling you don't like to admit and/or talk about].  I'm here to tell you that there's no shame in that!  We all experience it at one point or the other so do yourself a favor, and unplug from time to time to preserve your sanity. Re-focus on what's important! You'll feel a million times better, and your productivity will skyrocket.

2.  Get your heart rate pumping.

You don't need to go out and sign up for crossfit (unless you want to, of course) off the bat!  Just find a physical activity you're interested in and try it out.  Don't have to go hardcore right from the getgo - remember, baby steps, ma chérie, baby steps.  Interested in dance? See if there's a ballet or hip hop class near you.  Want to learn how to defend yourself? Sign up for a martial arts trial or kickboxing sesh.  I can pretty much guarantee that you'll find something you love, and you'll make a lot of new friends in the process!  All of us get stressed out, and it seriously affects our brain.  By exercising regularly, you'll decrease tension, improve the quality of your sleep, and up your mood - yay for endorphins.

3.  Keep tabs on your body with the Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker.

This magical device has improved my life tenfold.  I'm usually so tightly wound that I forget to breathe. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I literally hold my breath throughout the day.  And the funny part? I didn't even know.

Spire's new wearable bluetooth tracker has deep API integrations that give users context regarding their well-being by syncing with their location, calendar, and photos (through an app on your phone), to provide greater insights into where, what and why they experience periods of tension, calm or focus. The platform helps people anticipate stressful situations before they happen, and make mindfulness more attainable by alerting peeps in-the-moment and recommending breathing exercises & meditations.  

There are also a series of boosts available on the app to reduce stress and help you attain focus.  If you're looking to access your inner calm, you really need to check this tracker out.  I seriously can't recommend it enough.  It's like carrying around your own personal mental trainer who also happens to conveniently track your caloric intake and steps.  Let me know if you have any questions by commenting below.

4.  Spend quality time with your loved ones (or furry friends)!

I know we're all out there hustling, but it's important to take time out of our days to hang with friends and family (fur babies are included as well, obviously).  The way I see it? You gotta think long term!  Overworking yourself will only hurt your productivity. I mean, there's a reason why "work hard, play hard" is a famous motto. You need time to re-charge so you can start fresh with a new perspective.

Make an effort to schedule in at least 1-2 events a week to try new things.  It'll help you strengthen bonds with loved ones and expand your horizons. I'm all about collecting experiences because they keep me motivated and inspired.  Need ideas? Try creating a 101 in 1001 like I did!  You basically write a list of 101 things you'd like to do - like a bucket list - and complete them over the course of 1001 days. 

5.  Remember to treat yourself.

Don't be afraid to spoil yourself when you need a pick-me-up.  Whether it's Chinese delivery, a fabulous bag, or a deep-tissue massage, splurging's a must every now and then.  While you're at it, schedule a vacation for yourself. It doesn't have to be an extravagant trip to the Caribbean, road tripping to the nearest metropolitan city or country B&B will do the mind and body wonders.

Anddd that's all folks.  I hope you guys enjoyed this post and found my tips helpful!  How do you all like to de-stress?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.