MARCH ROUNDUP

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What a month.  I'm exhausted.  I think this whole working while going to school thing is starting to get to me.  Oh yea, and I blog a little..

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SPRING WITH BANANA

Y’all, I think we have officially made it to spring.  Even though the mornings still have a little chill to them, by the time 5pm rolls around, it’s the perfect temperature to grab a quick drink at an outdoor happy hour. 

Besides drinking outside more, spring also means it’s time to update your wardrobe.  Switching out your closet can be an extremely intimidating ordeal, but if you have super cute clothes to exchange for the coats, scarfs, and bulky sweaters, it makes the task a lot easier.  Banana has the cutest spring/summer pieces right now; I can’t get over it.  They always seem to have a great balance of classic, timeless pieces and trendy, fun pieces.  Like, these pumps..how cute, right?  Not my typical style, but every once and a while, you have to try something new.  I actually saw a girl on the metro wearing the matching pants and really thought they would look cute together paired with a crisp, white blouse.  Too matchy matchy?  I may have to find out. 

And this seersucker dress..takes me back to those Steeplechase days in Nashville.  Am I right?  Very classic and preppy.  I tried to keep it more casual in this shoot, but add a TB sandal and a chic hat, and you would be good to go.  Side note:  Remember those girls that would wear heels?  I always felt so sad for them.

I have been loving the sneaker-with-a-dress look.  It’s so comfortable and practical, but also really cute.  That’s also something Banana does really well; cute and comfortable clothing.  You can wear so many pieces to work and feel great all day and then you can wear it right out to those outdoor happy hours :)

Photography by Sarah

Banana Republic provided free product in exchange for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Shop my favorite pieces here:

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SHEIN || WHITE SWEATER

sweater:  SheIn c/o \\ jeans:  J.Crew (old, similar) \\ sneakers:  Nike \\ bag:  Annabel Ingall \\ sunglasses: Celine

Y'all.  This sweater.  It looks like Acne Studios or something like that, but it is under $40 (you can get an extra 40% off if it's your first time to shop with SheIn-you're welcome).  Can't beat that.  I also love the ribbing and how the fabric is light enough so you can wear it into spring/summer.  It's kinda perfect.

photography by Sarah

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FRIDAY READS

pic via \\ need these now

As you're reading this, I'm probably (hopefully) with my fam in Nashville.  I took a long weekend to come home and am so excited for all my plans.  First stop:  Proper Bagel.  I'm obsessed with all the Nashville blogger's pics of this place..oh and I really like bagels.  I also will be making sure to get a Five Daughters Bakery doughnut this time around.  They have either been closed or sold out every other attempt, so I'm hoping this will be the trip.  I'm also excited to see some good friends and my Nana.  Gotta love a trip home.

Anyone else super duper excited it's getting warmer, but scared as eff about what they'll look like in a swimsuit?   Like, how is it almost swimsuit season? Ugh.  Anywho, I found this article for "5 Hacks For A Healthier Week" and I'm pumped to try out the upgraded lunges.  I also will only be drinking juice for the next month (after my Nashville trip, of course), so I'm planning to try out Greenheart Juice.

A lot of y'all have asked about my shoes from Tuesday's post.  These booties have been my favorite all fall and winter.  They're perfect with jeans or a dress and they're like 90% less expensive than the Chloe boots they look like.

Same concept, different item.  This shirt looks just like the TIBI from last season, but costs less than $20.  Yep.

Ever dropped your phone into water aka the toilet?  This is a cool little trick you can try to save yourself $600 and a trip to Verizon.

And my number one most favorite new read is the blog, Emmpeccable. I'm a little biased because it's my bestie behind the new blog, but it's super good, so I know you'll like it, too.

Hope y'all have a good weekend!

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STUDDED

sweater:  Aritzia \\ shirt:  Equipment \\ jeans:  Joe's (under $70!) \\ bag:  Annabel Ingall \\ sunglasses:  Celine

Another black & white look.  Shocker, right?  At least the booties add a little pop of something.  

photography by Sarah

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FRIDAY FAVE || R+Co

I'd like to introduce y'all to my new favorite haircare line, R+Co.  Not only is the packaging & branding amazing, the products work extremely well and smell amaze.

I have a lot of hair, but it's fine, so I need a little extra volume.  The Dallas shampoo/conditioner combo helps out tremendously and it smells fantastic.

I've also discovered that my hair does much better only being washed every two to three days.  During the in-between days, I'll use a little of the dry shampoo paste.  Yes, paste.  It's so cool, y'all.  Starts as, well, a paste..and as you work it into your hands, it dries up into a powdery substance.  I just use a little on my crown as it's a tad too heavy to use on the front pieces.

Once I've styled my hair, it's usually pretty frizzy, so I'll use the Foil spray to keep everything in order.  This stuff is pretty much Static Guard that smells good. Best invention ever.

Lucky for me, my hair salon, PR Partners at K Street, started carrying and selling the products.  Even if you don't go to a PR Partners salon..although you should..specifically to Nadine..you can buy all the products there.   I've also heard the regular dry shampoo is amazing, so that might be the next product I try..

photography by Lauren Joseph

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WISH(LIST)ING

This. weather. is. everything.  It is making me want all the spring/summer looks and above are a few of my favorite pieces.

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WARBY PARKER

By now, I know you all have heard of Warby Parker.  It's an eyewear line that sells prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses at extremely reasonable prices.  The frames are really on trend and they carry a style for everyone.  On top of that, every pair sold, they give a pair to someone in need.  Cool, right?

Warby Parker's Spring 2016 collection was just released and it offers some really cool and colorful frames.  I was able to try a few of my favorites by trying out their Home Try-On feature, where WP will send you up to 5 frames to try-on before ordering.

I already own a pair of Warby Parker glasses, but after this home try-on, I may be buying a second.  I also highly recommend trying them out if you're in need of some glasses or sunglasses.  Check out the Spring 2016 collection here.

photography by Lauren

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TWO DOWN

pic via

Well, it's official.  I'm a blogger.  It's been two years today that I started The Black Blazer (fka BNA-DCA) and I couldn't have imagined actually sticking to it this long.  Not that I thought it was a short-term thing, but I wasn't 100% sure how much I would enjoy it.  I'm definitely not a writer (sorry for all the typos/grammar errors) and I definitely don't have the connections a lot of other bloggers have, but it's so fun.  SO FUN.  It instills a really unique confidence that I can't explain.  Maybe it's something a small business owner feels, but I feel really proud of myself for creating something that, (very) slowly but surely, becomes a little bit more successful as times goes on.  It's a lot of work, though. There are definitely days where I just can't.  I can't put a post together and that's okay.  As much as I love the readers & followers, this blog is for me.  It's an outlet, therapy session, motivator, all the above.  So, here's to two years..cheers, y'all!

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