weekend reading: 6.29.13

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this weekend why don't you :: try out some camo? (totally a modern neutral!)

{ what you might have missed on Here&Now }

{1.} What to wear for 4th of July.

{2.} The 2nd half of our engagement pictures (I might be biased, but I'm in love with them!)

{3.} NYC trip: Life lessons + what I ate in NYC

{4.} How to wear a statement necklace 6 ways.

{5.} Enter to win fabulous statement jewels from Yuni Kelley.

{ what you might have missed on the internets }

{1.} Do you dress for men, women or yourself?

{2.} Ever wondered what a company's media kit looks like?

{3.} Don't forget to update your blog reading situation before Google Reader goes away July 30th. Why don't you follow Here&Now on Bloglovin'?

{4.} Looking to up your blogging game? Read these creative blogging resources! 

{5.} In case you couldn't attend Alt NYC yourself. 

{6.} Doesn't get any better than stripes + florals. 

{7.} A new blog that I am loving... featuring a lady with fabulous fashion & her adorable pup (sooo up my alley!)

Yuni Kelley Giveaway

I squealed when I came home from work & found a sweet package from Yuni Kelley on my stoop.

The only appropriate thing to do next would be to throw it on over what you wore to work & photograph yourself in your alley. le duh!

A necklace this fabulous can spruce up even the most basic of outfits!

wearing the Yuni Kelly venus flytrap necklace

This week you have a chance to win a $30 shop credit to YuniKelley Designs! 

Julie's gorgeous Etsy shop features classic bracelets & necklaces that fashionistas of all budgets can afford. 

The best part about her shop? Each bracelet is custom fit so it's sure to fit your wrist perfectly! 

Only one lucky person will win, but everyone can get 20% off with code "HERENOW"!

Score!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
(open Internationally - but International winner must pay extra shipping costs)

stripes on stripes

{ What I Wore: J.Crew striped button down & white chino shorts // J.Crew Factory striped blazer // Brighthouse Baubles necklace* // super old loafers (love these!) }
*necklace gifted to me by the Southern Blog Society as part of a swag bag

You ladies have been very sweet complimenting my hair recently... can't get anything past you guys!

My secret? I recently had my first blow out & it changed my life.

Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but seriously, I am a changed woman.

I am one of those people that you might hate... my hair holds style for dayssss & yet I am still too lazy to fix it, even one or two times a week.

After I realized that with a blow out I could easily rock flawless hair for three days, I knew that I had to figure out how to do it on my own without dishing out $50 a pop.

When Misikko.com reached out to me about testing their top selling hair dryer I figured this was the perfect time to teach myself the ways of the blow out once & for all. So this is my first attempt...

I think I went a little crazy on the teasing & got that Dynasty look, but I wore it like this for 3 days! (It still looked pretty awesome on the last day, I am just weird about going that long without washing my hair, so I caved)

The tricks of my trade?

The HANA Air hair dryer, a round brush, teasing comb, & dry shampoo (my current favorite is Klorane)

Have any of you tried an at home blow out? 

What are your tips? (I'm still learning, so dish!)

I am also joining forces with my SBS ladies again to show you 6 ways to rock a statement making necklace! Check these lovelies out:

Jessica, My Style Vita  // Shelby, Glitter & Gingham // Julie Leah // Cath, Asian Cajuns // Katie, Pearls & Twirls // Kaitlin, Secretive Style

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Dahlia Lynn $100 jewelry giveaway {here}

P.P.S Like Misikko on Facebook for more hair advice & product giveaways!

Get Prep-y

{ via }

Congrats to AJ for winning the 2nd $50 Kroger Giftcard giveaway! (Random Number Generator chose the lucky #7!)

AJ please contact me so we can arrange delivery of your winnings!

Thank you for following along as I posted about how Kroger helps me prepare for Summer entertaining by saving time & money. Don't forget that the 4th of July is right around the corner. Prep for all your cookout entertaining needs by heading to Kroger for burgers, buns and Bounty!

Get ready for the holiday and save time & money by shopping at Kroger!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

NYC eats

As it worked out, while in NYC I organized most of the activities & my sister planned the eating.

Let's just say, the next time you visit a new city, you are going to want to consult my sister on her restaurant recommendations... we ate like QUEENS!

here is a taste of what we ate in The City:

1. Zucco Le French Diner: what a way to start the trip! A teeny TINY really & truly French diner on the Lower Eastside that might or might not have the cutest little French hipster pouring the win & dishing out complements. Mussels, steak, pomme frites, & wine! Oh, you'll know you are in the right place when you see their adorable Frenchie logo!

2. Ceci Cela French bakery: their claim to fame? The best croissants in NYC. They're definitely getting a vote from me!

3. Mazzat Mediterranean Kitchen: We were looking forward to some tasty seafood at Petite Crevette, but the kitchen was closed so that the owner/chef could cook for his son's Eagle Scout celebration. However, he personally recommended Mazzat & that man knew what he was talking about! Greek brunch with yummy wraps, shakshouka & bloody Mary's! Ma man!

4. Katz's Delicatessen: Known for pastrami reubens, house made pickles, & the place that Harry Met Sally. I did have what she's having & yea, it's that good ;)

5. Russ and Daughters: classic New York lox + schmear. De-lish

6. Grotta Azzurra: greeting you on the corner of Broome Street & little Italy is a cozy little place that serves up a whole lotta awesome. Get the stuffed artichoke & thank me later!

Not Pictured: Upper Elm @ King & Grove has the sickest view of Manhattan's skyline from their hip Williamsburg rooftop bar.

I love learning about a city by eating my way through it & we definitely put a dent in some NYC menus!

Thanks to my seester for letting me raid her Instagram feed ;)

a NYC minute

{ What I Wore: Urban Outfitters blazer (similar) // H&M dress (love this paisley number!) // Target mini wedges // Nisolo tote }

Oh my goodness.

I just got back from spending Friday - Monday in New York City with my sister!

I am both still recuperating & soaking in all that we did over our whirlwind trip.

The mission of our trip was to find me a wedding dress (more on that in a post to come), 

but we also did & saw SO many amazing things.

If you followed along on Insta/Twitter you saw the social media explosion that occurs when two blogging sisters take their first trip together, to the amazingness that is NYC.

#SeesterTripNYC

This was my FIRST trip to NYC that wasn't a layover in an airport. 

So as you can imagine I had many first time experiences/realizations while in the city, including but not limited to:

- Even if you bring your cutest pair of comfortable shoes, this is not enough. Your feet will swell to 4X their size & you will break down & purchase flip-flops in a Times Square JC Penney. (To all those New Yorkers walking around in 5 inch stilettos: RESPECT!)

- Brooklyn has very limited public transportation, but riding around with Eddie in his town car makes up for this.

- Good thing I walked from tip to top of that island, because we officially ate our way from the Upper East, to Midtown, to Chinatown, to Brooklyn.

- People who have access to rooftops are the ones to know.

- Air BnB is the shiz. Thanks Lil & Alex!! I'll even look past the 6th floor walk-up sitch ;)

- Manhattan can be a little city too. The adorable old couple that you photograph in front of the MoMA might just sit down next to you for dinner in Little Italy.

- The hype about bagels & schmear... so true!

- People in the subway are weird. Smelly. In a hurry. They can sometimes be dressed as mermaids. And know how to play "Killing me Softly" on the according & the nose-kazoo.

- 86 stories is tall. Thank you Empire State Building for confirming my fear of heights!

- As much as you think you will see it all, 3 days is so NOT enough! Already planning our next seester trip!

What life lessons have you learned in NYC?

Stay tuned for more over-sharing about all the amazing food we had & my dress shopping experience later this week!

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a gorgeous one-of-a-kind necklace {here}

summer exploration

This might come as I surprise to some of you, but I love the great outdoors.

Growing up in Arkansas, I developed a love for anything involving being on the water, hiking, camping, & watching shooting stars on balmy Summer evenings.

The season that leaves me itching to get out & explore a bit out of my comfort zone?

le duh... Summer!

{via} 

While I might be a city-girl now, my favorite Summer activity still involves being outside.

Roasting s'mores around a fire with friends is my most beloved, quintessentially Summer activity. I am totally that person that has s'more ingredients ready & waiting in my pantry for the invite from any friend with fire pit potential!

{via} 

I was recently introduced to the concept of s'mores using peanut butter cups... & all I have to say is daaaaaaang!
Seriously, tell me you will try it!

{via} 

My s'more addiction is easy on the wallet because I save time & money by shopping at Kroger!

Build your shopping list, load up on promotions & take it all with you using the Kroger mobile app. 

This week, take advantage of the Buy 10, save $5 Mix & Match deals.

Don't forget to download the digital coupon for 2X Fuel Points & make your time & money go farther this Summer!

And also, be sure to enter to win a $50 Kroger gift card from my blog here!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

T+J Engagement Part II

Thank you for all your sweet comments on our first engagement shoot reveal.

As some of you know, Ty & I met on our first day of graduate school here in Nashville.

Music City is where we met, fell in love, moved in together, adopted our two pug-babies & are currently planning our wedding.

We wanted pictures that captured this town that we have come to call "ours" & yet again our photographer Jessica Ranae fulfilled our wishes 110%!

All photos from Jessica Ranae Photography

I seriously can't believe that I am going to be marrying this cute boy in less than a year!

Somebody pinch me!

Until then, I am just going to be plastering the walls of our apartment with these pictures!

Sunday Shopping: Patriotic

We all know that I love any occasion for thematic dressing & here is what I am wishing for this coming 4th of July!
Can you believe it is right around the corner!?!?

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weekend reading: 6.22.13

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this weekend why don't you :: sport a new accessory? (I'm a little partial to the Panama hat right now!!)

{ what you might have missed on Here&Now }

{1.} I'm currently in NYC right now with my sister, be sure to follow along with our adventures on Instagram (#SeesterTripNYC) & see what I packed here. 

{2.} It's coming true... a blogging community in Nashville! Learn more about our first event here. 

{3.} Jean jackets 10 ways 

{4.} stock up on Summer entertaining essentials with the Kroger $50 giftcard giveaway 

{5.} Meet your new favorite blogger & enter to win one of her fabulous jewelry creations! 

{ what you might have missed on the internets }

{1.} I'm sure you have heard the word on the street....Google Reader is on its way out! And with only 2 weeks left, now might be time to move your subscriptions over to another site. Here is a straight forward tutorial for moving on over to Bloglovin'. Of course make sure you follow Here&Now on Bloglovin' too! 

{2.} #Hashtags... on Facebook!?

{3.} Video... on Instagram!? 

{4.} The next shade of lipstick I want & how to wear it.

{5.} Because who doesn't love a closet organization success story?

Spotlight: Dahlia Lynn Lane

Last Summer I spotted this gorgeous girl mixing prints, rocking flowy skirts, carrying my dream shopping list bags & always sporting red lippy. I was hooked! I kept clicking through her blog, DahliaLynn Lane, falling more & more into blogger love. As I read, I learned that her name is Jessica (like me), she lives in Nashville (like me), is originally from Arkansas (like me), works at Vanderbilt (like me) & has two sweet fur babies (like me). 

Before my blogger shyness could take over, I emailed her, gushing that we had to meet!

And I'm so glad that I did. 

That was the beginning of my first blogger friend turned real life friend! 

Jessica is a down-to-earth beauty that I just know you will love too!

Jessica's wish list: dainty stacking rings // jeans from one of her favorite stores // lust worthy shoes

Find Jessica on Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest // Bloglovin' // Facebook

Not only is Jessica beyond stylish, she is also the creator of fabulous, one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry sold at her Etsy shop! Jessica scours antique shops, flea markets & her own jewelry collection for fresh inspiration. The result? Statement jewels that will transform your wardrobe!
AND one lucky lady is going to win a covetable gem from her shop, the "Amelia" necklace, valued at $100!
Please show Jessica a big helping of love & enter to win a little thank you in return!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogging With Friends

{ What I Wore: J.Crew panama hat, striped tank (love this option!), eyelet pencil skirt (similar) // Paige denim jacket* // Target wedges }
*Paige denim jacket gifted to me as part of the Southern Blog Society swag bag

1. I am officially obsessed with this Panama hat... prepare yourself to see it. A LOT.

2. Summer has arrived in Nashville, the humidity, the 80 ˚F nights, the lightning bugs, the mosquito bugs.. it is all here!

3. I don't know how I got dressed before meeting the lovely ladies of the Southern Blog Society. 

Thankfully if you are looking for jean jacket styling tips, there are 9 beautiful bloggers showing you their unique take on it today!

Jessica, My Style Vita  // Shelby, Glitter & Gingham // Ashlyn, Let it be Beautiful // Julie Leah // Cath, Asian Cajuns // Katie, Pearls & Twirls  // Teodora, The Fashion Lush // Trina, Baby Shopaholic // Danielle, Lou What Wear

Seriously, blogging is so much more fun with friends!

If you are looking to make a jean jacket your own, consider these fabulous hand-picked options by moi!

let's do it again

Congrats to Laura for winning last week's Kroger Challenge Giveaway! 

(I used Random.org & #4 comment was the lucky one!)

I supremely enjoyed reading your money saving tricks & tips on the last Kroger Challenge post & GUESS WHAT?!
Kroger wants to give you lovelies another $50 giftcard.
Because who wouldn't rather be spending money on shoes!?

{via}

Take the “Kroger Challenge” & get your entire shopping list done at Kroger!

Share your experience in the comments & you're entered to win!!
(comments open until next week, so be sure to get your shop on this weekend!)

Don't forget to download the 2x Fuel Points digital coupon to earn double Fuel Points while taking the “Kroger Challenge”

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

trippin' NYC

It is getting to the point where I can no longer contain the excitement I have for wedding dress shopping with my sister this coming weekend. The only time I have been to New York City was for less than 12 hours during an unfortunate layover.... 

so this 3 day trip is a dream come true!

I have read up on how to not dress like a tourist in NYC, but since I can't bring this fabulous Kate Spade capsule wardrobe with me, I have been plotting how to put together stylish outfits for a weekend, while only packing a small carryon. 

These key 14 pieces are either exactly or very close to what I have currently piled on my bed to come with. 

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Besides wedding dress shopping at J.Crew, Macy's & The White Gown, we hope to eat good food, try tasty cocktails, check out a museum or two, peruse the Brooklyn Flea & try our luck at last minute Broadway ticket scouting!

My carry-on packing tips:

- Wear your bulkiest items on the plane

- Pack two shoes max (if I can do it, you can too!)

- Keep the color palette neutral

- Maintain a constant pop of color

- Plan ahead for versatile layers 

How do you travel lightly & in-style?

pajama dressing

{ What I Wore: J.Crew panama hat & striped sweater // Nisolo tote // Celebrity Pink jeans* // Michael Kors sandals & watch }
Celebrity Pink jeans provided to me as part of the Southern Blog Society swag bag

Not complaining, but between holding down my normal school work & wedding planning at night, my days are fuuuuulllllll. The good kind of full that comes from throwing yourself into endeavors that take up time but bring you joy. 

I am after all a firm believer of "you get out what you put in".

That being said, with limited time to play around in my closet, my clothing choices have been gravitating towards those magical pieces in my wardrobe that everyone thinks look sooo put together, but only I know they feel as comfortable as wearing my pajamas. 

A linen sweater that is sweatshirt soft & classic white denim that is like wearing my worn in leggings.

No brainer!

What are your secret pajama pieces in your closet?