look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Junior Year of high school, I never knew that 7 years later this dress would make the perfect mermaid fin! 

(sorry these photos are blurry, they were pulled from my archive and scanned it!)

A little snip-snip, glue-glue, and few beers later I chopped my former prom dress in half and made it into my DIY Little Mermaid costume. Combined with a red wig from last year, a nude tank top and seashells, Ariel was born.

Ty and I celebrated our Halloween last weekend by attending an electronic music show on the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville, and had a blast partying with our friends.

Alex from Clockwork Orange and The Little Mermaid in action

Happy Halloween everyone!
Are you still into dressing up? Does your costume have any element of DIY?

May you eat one less Reese's cup than your limit tonight!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary giveaway { here }

(ends Friday 11/2)

P.P.S. I am a big fan of donating old prom dresses so that all girls can have the opportunity to attend their prom and feel like a rockstar, but sadly this dress was about to fall apart on its own (beads falling off with every step, inside construction coming loose...), so its best option was to be reincarnated as The Little Mermaid

P.P.S.S. Today I am linking up with Dancing with Ashley for her Favorite Things series!
Join the love { here }

peachy keen

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Blythe blouse // Target leopard skinnies & buckle booties } 

{ Get the Look }

peach button down {$36.99} + leopard skinnies {$22.99} + buckle booties {$59.00}

The three pieces in my closet that I reach to again and again: button-down, skinny jeans, booties

So why not throw them all together, keep the extras to a minimum & let the basics shine?

30 for 30: Fall 2012

Good afternoon!

I have decided to take a whirl on the 30X30 Challenge train again

Don't know what a 30X30 Challenge is, and want to learn allll about it? Check out this post from the beginning of my Spring 2012 30X30 Challenge, and the complete Spring 30X30 recap { here }

The basics: 30 pieces of clothing, 30 days, 30 outfits, and NO shopping (I know)

I have culled my 30 rockstar pieces of clothing, and it makes me so happy that my items for the next 30 days only take up {this much room}

I want to eventually do a 30X30 for every season, and am actually looking forward to trying my hand at a Fall Challenge. I am excited about boots + skinny jeans, skirts + tights, and trying out some new, colorful mixes!

Want to know what I picked to wear for the month of November? 

oppan gingham style

I am sending prayers of strength and recovery to all those hit by the path of Hurricane Sandy. I hope all who have been affected will be able to hold their loved ones close and be returned to safe conditions soon!

1. What are your feelings about tucked in shirts without belts... I just couldn't pick one out today, so I went sans belt... and I kind of liked it! (hope my pants don't look naked!)

2. Did you get the bad pun in my blog title? If you have been hiding under a rock for the past month or two, the video I'm referencing is below (but based on the view count, pretty sure everyone in the world has seen it already)

3. How do you like my new site design? Is there anything that you miss from before, or something that you can't find? Now is the time to let me know, we are still working out the kinks!

4. Is there anything you want to know about me? After hanging out for the past year, maybe there are things that you actually don't know about me but are itching to find out? I would love to fill you in on all your burning questions, so please leave them in the comments and I will hit you back with some answers in a few days

If you don't, I'll get you! 

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary giveaway { here }

(ends Friday 11/2)

a little bit country

This weekend Ty and I escaped the city to finally take our horseback riding date (previously rained out)...

We left Nashville early on Saturday morning, and an hour and a half later, we arrived at Calico Junction Mule Ranch. The air felt different... and it smelled amazing. Just like Fall.

This couldn't have been a better weekend for a foliage loving freak like me... jaw. on. the. ground.

Me and my girl Silver. Even though Silver is a blondie, we have a lot in common - we both enjoy stopping often for snacks, and have a bit of an ornery streak. But she kicks... I don't do that.

Hearing hooves crunching Fall leaves, and splashing through creeks made my heart happy

Oh and the day ended with me convincing a llama and Ty that said llama would be a great pet, and would fit in our backseat

If you are ever looking for a little adventure around Middle Tennessee, I highly recommend horseback riding trips at Calico Junction... which supports their Therapeutic Riding Center that helps at risk youths, and veterans. Not only are the owners the nicest, but the property is ridiculously gorgeous!

How was your weekend? Any run ins with llamas? Any Halloween celebrations (more on mine later this week!)

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary giveaway { here }

(ends Friday 11/2)

P.P.S. Today I am linking up with Molly for #YOLOMonday... you know you wanna check it out { here }

October budget: aka my shopping binge

Welcome to the new Here&Now! 

you like?!

I am SO happy with the beautiful work that Kelly of Fabulous K did on my site... her name says it all, she is FABULOUS!

Hopefully there aren't any bugs in the system, but if there are, please let me know! 

(You can even use my fancy new "email" button in the upper right corner)

I can't. stop. smiling.

Ok, now onto the regular programming (I'll just be sitting here cheesing it up!)

Time for my monthly budgeting update... and this post needs a disclaimer:

Shopping seen here is not a regular practice, monthly results not expected to continue

I will be starting a self-imposed shopping ban for November to take on another 30X30 challenge, and I also want to take a break from major shopping until after the new year, to stretch myself, put a little more moo-lah into savings, and allow members of my family to actually have something to get me for Christmas (ha!). 

{ Parents/boyfriend stop reading now }

Everyone else, read on to see what my last big shopping binge got me this month

Blogiversary!

{original image via}

It's my 1st birthday y'all!

I simply CANNOT believe that I hit the "publish" button on this little guy 1 year ago today.

Since then I have published 400+ posts, met many blogger friends that I am convinced are my long lost sisters, learned more about my ever evolving style choices, and somehow convinced a few of you to follow along while I was at it.

Seriously though, this blog is my after hours hobby, and it brings me SUCH joy to come home and read your sweet comments, and cook up new content for the next day. How you haven't gotten tired of pictures of me or my pug yet is BE-yond me!

To thank you for being a part of the Here&Now community and celebrate 1 year of blogging, I have a little giveaway for you beautiful people

I love displaying fashion/style books around my house, and especially enjoy the books recently put out by some of the amazing bloggers I have "met" though the interwebs over the past few years.

5 of my favorite books written by bloggers (that I would like to give to you to enjoy!) are I Spy DIY Style, What I Wore, Cupcakes and Cashmere, The One Hundred, and The Sartorialist.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my slice of the internet, and I can't wait to bring you even more great stuff in the very near future and over the years to come!

Cheers!!

P.S. I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for her 100th Friday's Fancies... head on over { there } to continue the milestone celebration party!

Venturing in Venice

Hey lovies, I am over on Kelsey Design filling in while Kelsey cruises around the Mediterranean (um, super jealous)!
Check me out { here } to see how I styled some layers into an outfit appropriate for exploring Venice, Italy sun up to sundown

style crush: Miranda Kerr

I have been talking a lot about investing in wardrobe basics lately... 

The more I shop and browse my own closet everyday deciding what to put on before heading out the door, I learn that the work horses in my wardrobe are the classic pieces that I have spent time picking out and truly LOVE, not impulse splurges or trendy filler pieces

Miranda Kerr is one of my favorite celebrities for sporting chic street style... and guess what, she looks so darn fabulous by mixing wardrobe basics (I know, that's what I have been saying all along!)

{ via PeopleStyle Watch)

By playing with proportions (loose top, fitted bottom) and textures (leather, felt, studs) Mrs. Orlando Bloom makes classic pieces (ballet flats, navy blazer, chambray button down) look divine (killer sunnies always help)! 

Welcome to your new everyday dressed up casual ladies!

Get your Miranda on with these fabulous and wallet friendly picks:

tri-fecta

{ What I Wore: Old Navy vest // H&M sweater // Gap corduroy pants // Target leopard flats // Michael Kors watch // ModCloth crystal necklace }

{Get the Look}:

utility vest {$99.00... hard to track these down lately!} + burgundy sweater {$44.00} + mustard cords {$54.00} + leopard flats {$49.99} + skinny brown belt {$12.99} + gold watch {$24.99} + statement necklace {$8.99}

One of my favorite cold weather color combos is olive + mustard + cranberry... just makes you hungry right!? See how I wore it last cold snap { here }

my weekend through square pictures

This weekend was so jammed pack with Fall goodness I couldn't help myself but share some more!

Have you been following me on Instagram (@jesshereandnow)? I know I have been absent from my square picture over-share as of late, but with my new iPhone 5 I am back in the game!

{ row 1: Fall walks with Doug the Pug // relaxing at home with family (my seester) // taking in all of Nashville's skyline from Love Circle }

{ row 2: brewery tours & yummy beers at Fat Bottom Brew House // yummy burger with an egg on it at The Pharmacy // The Pharmacy's beer garden ambiance }

{ row 3: making it rain in the corn maze // gorgeous Fall day // Nashville gothic }

(thanks to @erniebufflo 's photostream too!)

manly man, girly girl

{ What I Wore: Express knit vest // Polo Ralph Lauren button down // Citizens of Humanity flare leg jeans // Nine West leopard pumps }

{ Get the Look }:

striped button down {$15.80} + knit vest {$29.99} + brown belt {$12.99} + flare leg jeans {$69.95} + leopard pumps {$39.99}

I love seeing those little leopard points poking their heads out!

Sometime when I am feeling extra girlie, I think it is a grand time to pump some of my extra-masculine items with a feminine flair

punkin patch

This weekend we:

- played Uno during dinner

- tried a bacon old fashion at the Patterson House

- picked out goofy gourds and played in a corn maze

- enjoyed delish burgers and brats at The Pharmacy

- enjoyed grown up fun with my sister and brother-in-law

A goat, a pig and a cow... too much fun!

fall foliage

{ What I Wore: H&M burgundy sweater & khaki utility jacket // Old Navy RockStar jeans // Tano purse // Frye boots // boutique scarf }

{ Get the Look }

burgundy sweater {$36.00} + utility jacket {$39.00} + patterned scarf {$18.00} + skinny jeans {$29.50) + harness boots {$59.00... almost identical from Target!}

 

I had so much fun hosting my sister and brother-in-law here in Nashville this weekend.
The weather was Fall perfection, and we had a blast trying new restaurants, enjoying seasonal activities, and just hanging out.
Check back this afternoon for some of our adventures captured on film.
How was your weekend?
Any Halloween costume preparation or pumpkin carving going down?

wardrobe staples: skinny (leopard) belt

Good morning Friday!

welcome to week three talking about wardrobe staples... why you should intentionally plan your purchases, how to wear them, and wear to get them

(check out the previous trench and chambray shirt editions)

this week we are discussing the skinny belt, in particular the statement making leopard skinny belt. Sure you have a wardrobe full of fabulous basics, but how do you jazz them up and remix those functional items? A statement making, and figure flattering skinny belt in a perennial classic pattern: leopard  

I will leave it to some of my favorite bloggers to make my point:

{ 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 }

Pencil skirts, maxi skirts, sheath dresses, jeans... you name it, it is your leopard belt's future BFF. Carve out a waist, pull your outfit together, and make a statement... you are only one skinny leopard belt away from fabulousness!

Still looking to add a leopard belt to your wardrobe? Shop these hand picked items from all price-points (but most are under $40!)

Is the skinny belt in your toolbox?

Any pro-leopard belt owners out there?

If not, what is your belt de jour?

awkward & awesome: "katniss with a pug face"

{ What I Wore: StyleMint tee // Tolani scarf // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Steve Madden over the knee suede boots }

{Get the Look}

blue tee {$20.99} + patterned scarf {$32.00} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + black boots {$69.00}

{ Awkward }

• I have worn these jeans for more than the past week (have you noticed!?), and they are still pretty tight. Moral of that story, the Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans are very cute, but order a size up!
• For the person who found my blog by searching for "toplesspics", I hope you were disappointed... who does that?! awkward
• If you found my blog by searching "katniss with a pug face", and are still around, will you come forward? I want to shake your hand, that is an amazing search (we are talking about Hunger Games, right?)! (and now my blog can be found that way... and I love it!)

• the boyfriend and I moved in together this summer, and I wanted to share some more about that experience in the near future, but I didn't know how to bring it up... so, there's thaaaaat... was that awkward to anyone but me??

{ Awesome }

• Being sick means eating lots of soup, and I have perfected my own butternut squash soup recipe... no spoon needed, slurp, slip and enjoy
• My boots are out, fluffed from their summer storage, and lined up along the bottom of my closet... brings a smile every time!
• my new iPhone 5 made its way to my welcoming arms last night... I. Am. Obsessed! Watch out Instagram (@jesshereandnow) - I am back in the game!
• saw Argo with my girlfriends last night (it was goooood!). Even if we were just sitting in silence, I really enjoy and cherish my girlfriends time (especially since moving in with le boyfriend)
• annnnd my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit me in Nashville for the first time EVA! So excited to show them around my fair city, and soak up some Fall goodness!

Did you have any awkwards or awesomes this week?
Dish it ladies!

a little bit prep, a little hippie chick

{ What I Wore: StyleMint tee // ShoeMint Mona loafers // Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans }

{ Get the Look }

tie die scarf {$27.90} + gold loafers { save $39.00 // splurge $129.00 } + skinny jeans {$29.50} + white tee {$25.90}

I think my style is pretty classic/preppy but with just a splash of hippie chick 

(for the "hippie" part, I blame thank my parents, my college experience, my love of farm fresh goodies from the farmer's market taken home in my organic bags, and the good vibes that I get from recycling)

Regardless of how I define my "look", these shoes are amazing (no ifs, ands, or buts about it ladies)!

How do you define your style?
What a hard question!

orange and...?

{ What I Wore: boutique trench // Old Navy belt & rockstar skinny jeans // Jessica Simpson heels // yard sale clutch }

{ Get the Look }

orange trench {$31.50} + waist belt {$28.00} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + brown pumps { save $29.99 // splurge $79.00 } + yellow clutch {$35.60}

Costume Couture

Looking for some DIY Halloween costume inspiration? 

Check out the round up that Julia over at A Cup of Tea put together { here }

Do you get into Halloween? 

Any of you making your own costumes?

What are you fabulous ladies going to be!?

P.S. I am also linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies.... see more costume ideas { here }

pony up

{ What I Wore: Banana Republic sweater // Gap suit vest // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Guise Archives Benjamin Collection Molly sunnies (won in a giveaway) }

{ Get the Look }

yellow sweater {save $20.00 // splurge $80.00} + suiting vest {$39.95}+ skinny jeans {$29.50} + riding boots {save $34.99 // splurge $180.00} + classic sunnies {$16.99}