Feelin’ BAD (in a Good Way!) in Black

Fashion

I really hope someone gets the meaning of this post title or I just really revealed my age with my nod to the king of pop {anyone, anyone??}. But anywho, it seems no matter when I decide to make a few additions to my wardrobe, I always gravitate towards similar things – namely anything in black! But I firmly believe there’s a difference between a fashion comfort zone and a rut, so like I’ve advised here, when you’ve found something that works, why not just go with it!

That’s why I was pretty thrilled to make some serious scores when I popped into Nordstrom Rack during my recent trip to back to my home hood, Seattle. I mean, I couldn’t be in Nordstrom mecca and not go! The Rack’s Designer Section is my kryptonite.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long before I stumbled upon this hot little motorcycle jacket by Soia & Kyo that I snatched right up! Thank goodness, as it came in mighty handy when rain arrived unexpectedly and put a damper {pun intended!} on what had been an epically lovely Pacific Northwest summer. Typical.

I also nipped a beautiful black Dries Van Noten tank. I’m a big fan of going high end for basics so you don’t have to replace them every two seconds. High quality fabrics and a great fit are well worth a little splurge. And a lovely black tank – this one has a little shimmer though sadly you can’t really see it in these pics – is the perfect piece to slip under a suit jacket or dress up a pair of jeans for a girls night on the town {at one of my fave Seattle restaurants, Radici, owned by Cassandra’s dad no less}!

You know, sometimes shopping can feel like a chore these days, but enjoying the thrill factor of a really good score makes the whole thing dramatically more fun. Especially now that you can shop Nordstrom Rack online. I just do not have the stomach for dressing rooms anymore!! I definitely cannot stop wearing my moto-jacket and feeling pretty BAD when I do!

What’s on your current wishlist??

WHAT I’M WEARING // GET YOUR SHOP ON

> Soia & Kyo Moto-Jacket

> Dries Van Noten Tank

> 7 for All Mankind Jeans

> Dries Van Noten Sandals

> Ray-Ban Sunnies {similar}

> Vintage Ring

> Aerin Lipstick in Perfect Nude

original photography for Apartment 34 by belathee photography

Thank you Nordstrom Rack for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

Laid Back Summer Style

Fashion

So today, I have a confession to make. I have a big, nasty, raging bad habit. But the first step to self-improvement is admitting you have a problem, right? So here’ goes: One of my longest running issues is that I never, ever slow down. It’s always go go go, one more event, on top of one more project, on top of one more to-do with no end in sight! I was able to get away with that modus operandi through my 20’s no problem, but it’s really starting to catch up with me these days.

I’ve realized two critical things. Your body does age. You do get tired. Things hurt that never used to {you know… those things you made fun of your parents for complaining about} and really, I’m not that old. But most importantly, I’ve realized it’s also not a great way for my soul to live. A life without a pause button means you leave a lot of people in your dust. That approach makes it challenging to extend the time and attention meaningful relationships deserve. So as we head into summer, I’ve come up with a personal challenge that I thought I’d share with you: to take advantage of the naturally more mellow season and dedicate time to really chilling out. And what better way than with a comfy dress & some good tunes?!

what I’m wearing: Old Navy Maxi Dress // Bang & Oulfsen Headphones // Tokyo Bay Watch similar // Sweet & Spark vintage bracelets // Dolce Vita Sandals // Make Up Forever Lip Gloss in Frozen Pink

Isn’t it amazing how the perfect song can completely change your mood? And while I love good tunes {I was even a hardcore festival-goer back in the day}, I too often forget to turn them on! So to help break up my usual agenda of go-go-go, for the next couple of months I’m setting aside Sunday afternoons for dedicated relaxation. With a super comfy maxi dress {seriously, I think I found my official weekend uniform no matter what I’m up to!}, maybe a pile full of magazines {or even a book!} and most importantly open-ended time, I’m hoping I can break my always-in-a-rush cycle.

To help me – and you! – get into a good health grove, we put together a slowdown for summer soundtrack. Have you found your signature summer song yet? Hopefully, one of these might help you relax and unwind so by the time Fall rolls around we’ll all be cool as cucumbers together!

> Latch | Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

> No No No | Pumpkin blood

> Bonfire Heat | James Blunt

> Sonnentanz | Klangkarussel

> Not Giving In | Rudimental

> Love like You’ve Never Been Hurt | Orion Hedvig

> Chocolate | The1975

> Riptide | Vance Joy

> Mountain Sound | Of Monster and Men

> Summertime Sadness | Lana Del Ray

> Nirvana | Sam Smith

> Float | Pacific Air

Listen to our Slow Down for Summer Soundtrack {and follow us} on Spotify!

original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick

This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

It’s Here: The Apartment 34 Office Reveal!

Decor

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Wedding Week to finally reveal our labor of love: our new and much improved, Apartment 34 team office!

We said we’d have the office makeover done in a month, but like all good design projects, it ended up taking four! Thankfully it’s here now and it’s pretty awesome {if we do say so ourselves!}. We’re SO excited to finally be able to invite you in for a tour.

The space needed to be completely refreshed in order for our growing team to get down to business. This included an all new layout complete with a jumbo work station as well as a “creativity charging corner” for thumbing through computer-free inspiration {SO necessary!}. A dramatic black accent wall, a custom brass pendant and spots on the walls for impromptu moodboards are just a few of our favorite details!!

You’ll want to stay tuned as we break down fresh ideas that you can easily replicate in your own space next week. We plan to dive into all of the ins, outs, sources and how-to’s. If there’s anything you spy that you want us to be sure and cover, just leave a comment with your request!

Until then, you can find even more pics of the office on VSCO Journal! We were thrilled to share insights from our design process and a bit more detail about the crazy world of running a blog with the VSCO team. The interview, with more of our makeover reveal and some never seen “befores,” is HERE. And a very special thanks to VSCO for the feature and all the AH-mazing products you produce that help make our photos so much prettier!!

Curious about what the Apartment 34 office looked like before? You can see last year’s studio tour HERE and my tips for making simple updates to your space on Refinery 29 HERE! I’m also be pinning to a moodboard inspired by our redesign with Blu Dot for the next two weeks HERE.

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

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