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As I am sure you have noticed I have taken a lot…I mean A LOT of photos in Old Town, Alexandria. Well, not only am I obsessed with the history it holds, the adorable colorful row houses, and of course there is always something to do. Even more so it holds a lot of memories for me that I will cherish forever. One specifically was when my sister first moved here several years ago and I had done a road trip with my Dad to visit her. I remember we were waiting for her to get off work so we parked the car on King St. and were going to just stroll around. At that time I was in my early 20’s so I had not traveled as much so I was totally blown away by how it was a place I had never seen anything like before in Indiana! With my Dad now passed, this place definitely holds a place in my heart and the memories we shared. Ok, enough with the emotions…pass the tissue box, get a drink of water, and let’s dive into what I really want to chat about today. Where the best places to take blog photos in Old Town are!

I am very fortunate that my fellow blog gal Kelly-Lynne and I work in the same area so we are able to get together easily after work to take some outfit shots and with sooooo many amazing locations in this area it makes our shooting time quick and easy with our busy schedules! Oh and can’t forget the creative eye of my photographer, Sarah, who always knows the best spots too. So if you find yourself in Old Town, here are my top 10 favorite spots!

1. Wilkes Tunnel- This location is what you see in the photos I posted with Sarah. So it is part of the Mt. Vernon trail so beware of the bikes when trying to snap photos on here, but it feels like you are in like a scene of the Secret Garden…who remembers that movie?!
2. The Anthenaeum– With its large light pink columns this makes for a very cool backdrop that when shot at the right angle can give you a very unique dynamic to your photos!
3. Old Town Waterfront- Literally anywhere on the waterfront at the end of King St. will do, but I love the spot with the yellow ferry parked right outside of the Chart House is a perfect backdrop for a summertime look you may be sporting.
4. Yellow Wall at Big Wheel Bikes– Now if you are more into colorful backdrops I definitely recommend the bold yellow wall at Big Wheel Bikes and while you are there you can get your bicycle maintenanced while you snap some pics! #multitasking
5. Carlyle House– You may have seen in my Insta stories that my friend Kelly-Lynne got engaged here! It is the gorgeous garden right on one of the off streets of King St. with a precious gazebo and flowers galore.
6. Right at the end of King St.- So Sarah my photographer is a genius! We were able to get these amazing crossing the street shots without disrupting traffic. Right at the end of King St. near the water there is a crosswalk that leads to a dead end so not many cars are turning, just watch out for the trolleys!
7. Cobblestone street at Captains Row on S. Lee St.- Definitely don’t recommend walking down in it in stilettos, but it makes for an amazing shot standing right in the center.
8. Green wall at Indigo Hotel– This is also a spot that has a multipurpose use because the restaurant in this hotel has an amazing brunch and the décor is future house goals for sure. After you stuff yourself with avocado toast and mimosas head out to the patio and there is this lush green wall with retro looking patio furniture that make for great impromptu props.
9. The former La Cuisine Cookery Storefront at 323 Cameron St.- If you are all about pink then this is the place for you. The building is a gorgeous shade of pink that can really pop in photos.
10. Colorful walls at office building next to Bastille– Now this is a spot that I recently found out about from my girl Dani of Blonde in the District. Right next to the restaurant, Bastille, there are the offices that are painted these fabulous shades of lavender, mint, and blues.

Oh and of course for your photos you need that perfect look to compliment these backdrops. For the Wilkes Tunnel I went with a light and fun kimono wrap dress from Ellos to match all the gorgeous greenery surrounding the tunnel. Now this dress has a huge slit up the side so I bought some of these bedazzled large safety pins to keep it closed on the side and can also double as an accessory! Can also be paired perfectly with a pair of white skinny jeans, shop it here.

Since you all are from many places, share with me your favorite place to take photos in your community!

XO

Catherine

The first situation that I encountered my struggle with having hats fit my head was when I was about 6 years old playing tee-ball and the one size fits all helmets would not even fit. It cracks me up even now how my mom and sisters would tell me to make me feel better, “Oh its just your hair, that is why the helmet doesn’t fit.” Well, 20 years later the only multiple hats I wear are my mulitasking skills…que pity laugh…your welcome for that lame attempt at a joke!

Now after the helmet saga in my childhood my next encounter with hats was when I was in my early 20’s and I went to the Kentucky Derby. As one does when they are on a budget, I went to Target to try and find a hat for the weekend festivities. Alas, no hats in site that would fit. Well, now last month I was determined to get a dang hat on my head for this year’s derby fun and that is when I discovered…dun dun dunnnnnn…fascinators! They come in all kinds of magical colors and styles and best part they either can clip to your hair or are on a headband to give you that illusion that you are wearing a hat, but in reality you are not so much.

Then I started to think about how unfortunately this fascinator that I am sporting from Amazon is a little much to be wearing pool side and I definitely want to find a cute ol floppy hat. So here is the bad news, I was doing some searching around online for XL or XXL hats only to come up very short in selections that were anywhere near remotely stylish. Well, I am not going to give you up you guys I am going to do some more investigating, but for now fascinators are your friend so here is a round up of some cute ones that you can wear for your next garden party, polo match, or heck why not even for your next brunch outing with your girlfriends! For reference my head circumference is 24.5 inches!

XO

Catherine

Photo Credit- The Hour Shop

Fascinator Hat Jack & Rose Flower Feather Net Mesh Kentucky Derby Tea Party Headwear with Hair Clip and Hairband for Women or Girls

Fascinators Hats 20s 50s Hat Pillbox Hat Cocktail Tea Party Headwear with Veil for Girls and Women

Cizoe Flower Cocktail Tea Party Headwear Feather Fascinators Top Hat for Girls and Women

Fascinators Hats for Womens 50s Headwear with Veil Flower Cocktail Wedding Tea Party Church Derby Hat

Vintage Flower Mesh Feathers Fascinators Hat for Women Kentucky Derby Cocktail Tea Party

I would love to see the reaction of those next to me in fitting rooms overhearing me say “Hey guyyyyyssss omg this dress is soooo fabulous you must come and get ittttttt,” Little do they know I am just having a little chat with all of you amazing people on Insta stories! Well, for those of you that have busy lives and do not have time to watch stories like the ridiculous amount of time that I spend watching it on a daily basis, here is a summary of my trip yesterday to Eloquii.

Well, originally I was headed there to try the Priscilla Ono collection, but I was a day late! They do not have the collection in the DC store any longer, but don’t fear there is still plenty to pick online and the other store locations may possibly still have it. Well, even though this collection is not in store believe me I was overwhelmed with the gorgeous selection of other springy options from dresses, to flowy trowsers, skirts, and more!

So the front display when you enter the store was full of yellow vibes so I thought why not make this a theme and if you are wanting to incorporate more yellow in your wardrobe, you can start with these unique pieces!

1. First up was this stunning jacket and pant set that had the chicest pomegranates I have ever seen in my lifeeeeeee! This set can be super versatile since it does not have to be worn together. You could do the jacket, skinny jeans, and black heels for a going out look or pair a basic white tee tucked in the front with the trousers and some espadrille wedges to match for more of a daytime look. Shop it here!

• Not feeling the set, but adoring the print? Well, they have it in this fabulous off the shoulder dress too! Perfect for your next vacation and I love that you do not really need to accessorize this beauty since the print is such a bold statement. Just some simple gold hoops and sandals and you are set. Shop it here!

• Want to wear your pajamas out, but want to feel fashionable? This t-shirt sequin dress totally did that for me. Perfect mix of comfort and that bit of sequin to make you feel fancy is the perfect balance. A sleek pair of pumps and I would say multi color fun earrings or a clutch can bring this whole look together. Shop it here!

• This next dress is perfect for those I just want to spin and feel amazinggggg moments. The flow and feel of this full yellow beauty is the perfect mix of comfort and fashion too. Would be perfect for a daytime coffee date or a weekend at the winery. Or let’s be honest if you want to take a nap in it, go for it too. Shop it here!

• If you are planning any Mothers Day plans this weekend and you are looking for a last minute brunch look I have found it for you friends! Check out this floral yellow and white statement sleeve beauty. Yes, it is a bit more fitted, but don’t be afraid of that! The material is super high quality and it can give anyone an amazing shape. Shop it here!

This is just the start of it friends. There are soooo many other amazing pieces Eloquii has gotten in so stop by your closest store or shop online today!

XO

Catherine