Indulge yourself

This sequin ensemble is as rich as dark chocolate. I would wait until New Years to try to pull of sequins, but it's never too early to start gathering ideas.

Phillip Lim Trench Coat

Phillip Lim Sequin Tank DressLanvin Velvet Platforms

*Where are the prices? "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

What do I do with this thing?

A reader recently suggested I do a post on tying scarves. This was tricky since I found myself wondering the same thing when I moved here two years ago. Below are several different options for different size scarves.

How I typically tie my scarf

How I'd like to spruce up my basic scarf. I like the volume and how it rest off to the side.

I prefer a skinny scarf for the fall. We have all of January and February to suffocate ourselves during the blistery winter weather.

I like the second knot.

This is great with jeans and a cuter belt than shown for a casual dinner.

Perfect for formal occasion, because winter or summer our formal wear is still strapless!

Labor Day

This weekend my girlfriends and I will send this summer off in style in...Ocean City, Maryland! I have never been, but given the stories I've heard, it should be quite an experience. For me, 50% of the fun comes from rehashing post-event stories. If there's nothing to gossip about, what on earth would my roomie and I talk about when we're bored late at night? On the list of things to do: sleep all day on the beach, listen to one of my roomie's famous fabulous play-list, read Sammy's House (sequal to Sammy's Hill!), eat a lot, hopefully get a tan that will no doubt immediately fade into fall, and most importantly, find a bar showing the Texas Longhorns football game!!

More Bergdorf Love

So many aspects of this outfit are incredible. The burnt orange dress caught my eye first, and then as my eyes scanned down I jumped for joy at the return of black suede shoes. At a steep $1860, I won't be purchasing this outfit...probably ever. But, like I've said before, if art lovers can go to a art museum and admire their favorite paintings, why can't girls appreciate good designs.

Team Spirit

For those of you wanting to show team spirit during the week, but work in a job that inconveniently does not permit football jerseys, I have answers: Find professional clothes with your team colors! Fortunately for me, the beautiful Burnt Orange matches fall season colors. I think this is the universe's way of saying "Hookem Horns."If you happen to support a team like, oh I don't know, Florida, this strategy of finding professional team colors won't work because orange and blue never look together. But for the rest of you, enjoy!

JCrew Skirt $118


White Ruffles Shirt
Gold Necklace
Since the necklace is heavy, go with small gold earrings
Bettye Mueller Shoes

Rainy Days

Looks like outdoor plans this weekend are drenched. Perfect weekend to explore the museums (since I've only been to one in the two years I've lived in D.C.) Don't forget your fashionable umbrella and matching rainboots this weekend!

Nordstroms $59

Umbrella.net $95

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Dupont

I love how these individuals explain how their heritage or previous residencies have influenced their various styles. Welcome to my neighborhood: Dupont Circle

Fall Shopping List: Shoes

Shoes mystify me. I can seriously look at them online and try them on in department stores for hours on end.

Here are a few of my favorite fall picks:

I tend to have a love-hate relationship with J Crew, but could these paisley Molly heels from J Crew be any more to die for? These are perfect statement shoes and a must-have on my autumn shopping list.
I'm a huge of of shoes that I know go with several outfits. These pumps VANELi, are a step up from ballet flats are not only fashionable, but also extremely comfy!

I know DCSheke is far too stylish herself to ever endorse these shoes, but I stumbled across them at the new Bliss Spa in DC and at Nordstroms recently and scoffed in disapproval. It wasn't until this past week that I friend told me about them and made me believer. These are the infamous MBT shoes that align your posture and give your legs a workout while you wear them. And after hearing that about how everyone in her office is wearing them and seeing great results (she's lost an inch and half around her calf in two weeks), I decided to invest. They are bar none the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. So if you see me walking around DC, you can bet that these will be on my feet.

And therapeutic/workout shoes aside -- here's to all the fall party shoes. The ones we can wear to weddings, galas, cocktail parties straight through to the holidays:

Guest and Evie by Kate Spade.

Air Eliana OT Sling by Cole Haan

And of course a pair of Louboutin pumps to lust after, as they are extremely out of my budget. But so perfectly my style that you would think they were made just for me.

It's a Lilly World, I Just Live In It

I'm acutely aware that Summer is nearing an end. For that reason, I'm heading home to the beautiful beaches of Wilmington, NC next week where I plan to soak in a week of sun and enjoy all the coast has to offer.

In an effort to be semi-productive I've also taken to packing, before the 11th hour that is, to ensure that I don't miss any important items.

First outfit on my list: my Sunday Funday outfit.

Definitely one of my favorites from earlier this ummer, this ensemble is perfect for NC beach-wear. I was all but born in Lilly clothing, so what better way to usher the end of summer, than in the quintessential pink and green of Lilly Pulitzer.

Lilly is definitely a way of life down in the South. Sure you can avoid it, but why would you want to?

Perfect to pair with pearls and big sunglasses, everything the line has to offer is fabulous. OK, save their misstep in making glow-in-the-dark dresses for women earlier this year... But aside from that, you can count on their styles to be playful, flattering and timeless.

Guest Blogger: Date Night

Every DC girl needs a go-to date night outfit that's sure to impress. While I'm breaking form and not going for pearl accents here, this an ideal date night outfit, that fits my tastes perfectly.

Catherine Malandrino has created the perfect DC date night dress. This flirty frock features sculptural curved ruffles sleeves, with a fitted draped wrap-around neckline that's flattering to any frame.

Once $110, these Syria heels by Guess are now priced at an affordable $49.77. The feminine detail and neutral color, makes these shoes an investment that will stand the test of time.
Any sort of gold earring is the way to go here. Complimenting the blush pink of the dress perfectly, this pair of hammered gold, is classy without taking away from the gorgeous dress.

With a great outfit like this, why in the world am I staying in on a Friday night?

Outfit Inspiration: Raleigh, NC

When going home to Raleigh, North Carolina, I usually try to cram as much visiting into one weekend as possible. I always go out to dinner with my family for a night as well as try to catch up with friends who are in the area. This is the perfect outfit for a night out in the city first having dinner with the parents then transitioning into drinks with friends.

I've been eyeing this gorgeous dress for quite some time. It is great for a night on the town or a special event. Raleigh tends to be similar to DC with a little sleeker dressier fashion.

For dinner with my parents I'd pair it with a ruffle cardigan and belt. I actually have the black belt and absolutely love it. It dresses up every outfit and adds a unique touch. For drinks with friends I'd probably lose the cardigan and just wear the dress (and maybe the belt).

I always have high ambitions of wearing heels but usually at the end of the night I'm back in flats. Either of these shoes I could easily pull off for a nice night out.

Because the dress is a large pattern I don't think you need huge accessories. These earrings pull in the cardigan and add a splash of color.

I think I'm ready for a trip home now!

Outfit Inspiration: Wilmington, NC

I am pretty sure throughout my childhood we made our rounds to all the beaches on the North Carolina shore. But Wilmington has always been a favorite of mine. From the adorable downtown on the water, a perfect picture of southern charm. To the beautiful expansive beaches, Wilmington always seemed to have everything to keep my family entertained.

I have fond memories of having lunch and walking around the downtown with my mother. If I were to go again this dress would be perfect for a morning of shopping and an afternoon at the beach. And North Carolina is the perfect place to pull out your blue and pink seersucker. While I like to think my style is a little bit artsier now, I always go back to my preppy roots when I go home.

I was honestly having a hard time finding a bathing suit that matched the rest of the outfit. So I figure going simple is probably better. This suit is great because the straps won't show under the dress when you are out and about. Something that I know you shouldn't be picky about when you are at the beach, but also something I just can't let go of.

No outfit is complete in the south without big sunglasses and an oversized hat.

One thing I learned from growing up in North Carolina is that pearls make any outfit classy. My family has a tradition of gifting a pearl necklace on your 21st birthday. While at the time I didn't exactly appreciate it, now I couldn't think of a better versatile accessory! This necklace is a little bit more unique than a basic strand of pearls. The light and airy feel to the necklace reminds me of southern charm and the beach.

So I have a confession that I am not a very big Lily Pulitzer person. I can definitely appreciate it on others but it has never been my own style. But no North Carolina beach outfit is complete without a little bit of Lily. So I thought this straw bag with small embellishments would do the trick.

I think I'm ready to go to the beach now!

Outfit Inspiration: Asheville, NC

Asheville is still one of my favorite mountain cities to this day. I love the beautiful nature, the artistic shops and the hippie quality to it. The last several times I went to Asheville I went with my mom and sister as a girls weekend. We love walking through all the shops and galleries admiring the local talent. The above outfit is something I would love to wear while walking around town for a day of shopping.

This top from Anthropologie reminds me both of the beautiful blue ridge mountains and the gorgeous artistry in Asheville.

I thought these jeans paired perfectly with the top for a casual day of walking around. You need something tighter on bottom to compliment the loose top, and the cuffed jean gives it a more hippy casual feel.

I love the beautiful craftsmanship of Bernardo sandals. So well made and comfortable for walking. I also thought these were a nice compromise to the brown rainbows that everyone (including myself) wears in North Carolina.

I was honestly torn between these two bags and decided to include both. The leather tote bag gives it a more polished look. But the yellow bag just matches the organic handmade feel of Asheville. And I feel like people in North Carolina are a little bolder with their colors than here in DC. Just an observation.

With all the red clay in North Carolina, pottery is very popular. Which is why I had to choose handmade clay earrings to complete my outfit. Because the shirt is such a statement piece, you don't need too much else to accent it. These are nice and simple yet still a little interesting.

The mountains always get a little cooler at night time, so if I were going out to dinner I'd add a cardigan and belt. After all this talk of Asheville, I think I'm ready for my next mountain vacation! And now I have the perfect outfit to wear!