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Saturday, March 30, 2013

weekend reading: 3.30.13

1 // 2 // 3 


This weekend why don't you : pair girlie dresses with tough jackets?

Hoppy Easter, Hoppy Spring hoppy hoppy Everything!

1. I am such a perpetrator of the un-productive multi-task. This article about multi-tasking & why you need to stop is the first step to productivity! 

2. This is the dress that got away... you know I will be stalking the Old Navy website until it comes back!

3. I can't be the only one that often wonders, "I just wrote a blog post, now what?" - find some answers here (still working on that SEO nonsense!) 

4. Totally in to this new nail art concept ... maybe even I could do this!

P.S. I am super not awesome at self-promotion (which is why I am in last place right now), but I have a very exciting opportunity to compete against 27 other bloggers to be the first US style ambassador for the clothing brand Wallis.
If you could please vote for me I would much appreciate it.
And if you could vote for me once every 24 hours from now until April 12th, I will try to figure out a way to stuff you into my carry on when I win the grand-prize trip to London!

Friday, March 29, 2013

March Budget: back to basics

For 2013 I am budgeting my clothing allowance based on the entire year. Sound crazy? Read more about it { here }
Ok, finally a month where I picked out a few closet basics, purchased them, then actually put my wallet away without having any FOMO - growth, my friends!

So what did my budget get me this month?
1 Nisolo leather tote $133.00 
(have you not heard of this brand yet?? Educate yourself here... they rock!)
1 pair Madewell leopard skimmers $93.00 
(initially ordered the wrong size & the right size is on backorder until June... sad face!)
1 pair Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans (in black) $19.50 
(my favorite jeans at the moment... I want this cut in every color. BUY ALL THE COLORS!)

Year total $3,000
-January  $149.94
-February $241.71
- March $245.50

Amount left for 2013: $2362.85

How was your budget this month?
Pick up any closet basics?

P.S. since Ty & I got engaged, all everyone keeps telling us is how stressful wedding planning can be. Apparently throwing a big party to celebrate your love does have a price & it can be spendy. With that being said, I am going to try to be more thrifty with my clothing budget & wedding related items might sneak into my clothing allowance - this is real life folks!

P.P.S. Today is the LAST day to enter the J.Crew giftcard giveaway {here}!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

bauble your way to my heart

Ok, so maybe the bubble necklace trend is dead... but I am a staunch believer in the fact that if you really love something, you will wear it, regardless if it is trendy or not 
(& I'm not just talking about my favorite pair of sweatpants stolen from le fiancé)



I have been the proud owner of this Bauble Bar statement necklace for going on 2 years & continue to gravitate towards it. I'm a huge necklace loving gal & no matter how much I make myself buy earrings & bracelets, huge a$$ necklaces are the way to my heart.


The moral of this story is: Buy things you love. Invest in closet staples. If a $30 necklace is going to be your most worn item, then by all means your friend Jessica advises you to get 2!
See all the ways I have worn my favorite statement making necklace { here }
I always talk about how I love "remixing" my closet, but besides my 30X30 challenges, I don't share many re-capped remixes... is this something that you like?
Wanna see more around these parts?

P.S. if you haven't gotten your remix fix for the day, then head on over to my friend Franny's link up: 5 days, 5 ways
(in case you couldn't tell, I am two days late, but linking up with accessories!)
Franish

P.P.S. Don't forget to enter the J.Crew giftcard giveaway {here}!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

gray matter

{ What I Wore: Old Navy blanket sweater // Windsor liquid leggings // Steve Madden boots // Everlane tank //  Seams to be hat // Clinique Raspberry Glace lipstick (from free gift!) }
{ Get the Look}
wrap sweater {$19.97}+ liquid leggings {$19.90, exact} + tall boots {$89.99} + gray tank {$15) + knit hat {$28) + lippy {$15, exact}
Well, I pulled out my sundresses, started planning garden parties & rocked bare legs in hopes that Spring had officially sprung.
Boy was I wrong! Yesterday I woke up to snow on the ground (ok, not like your Northeastern snow) - sweaters, hats & boots are back out from the depths of my closet!
I might just live in this sweater that I call my blanket with arm holes in protest! 
(that first picture is my best WTF Spring face!)
So, returns the gray clothes that make up my Winter wear.
People sometimes ask my why I wear so much gray & it isn't an accident!
White stains too easily & black shows pug hair, but gray goes with black, navy & brown.
So yea, gray is my neutral of choice (you should see my t-shirt drawer!)

What is your neutral of choice?
Is Spring teasing you too? Let's all do our best Spring dance!!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the J.Crew gift card giveaway {here}

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

blogger guide: Media Kits

Media Kit, Smedia Kit... that is what I used to think. That is until a brand I was excited to partner with asked for mine. Oh crap!
I immediately ran to my smart blogger friends & found this guide & this tutorial... and whipped one up, but is it right
Is it what brands want?
Why don't we ever talk about this so I can know that I making something actually presentable?
Ok, so I am a little concerned that I am about to embarrass myself in front of all the internet, but this is my "media kit":
(in reality those blue links are clickable in my .pps file d, but I could only figure out how to share them as a static image here)
Ok, phew... now that that is out there...
What is on your media kit?
What format do you have it saved as so you can share your clickable links?
What major media kit snafus have I made above?
Can we get this whole media kit thing out in the open so that we can all know what is actually going on? k thanks!

Monday, March 25, 2013

time change



{ What I Wore: J.Crew baseball tee (similar) & factory crinkle skirt // Cole Haan Leather sneakers (similar) & crossbody purse (similar) }
The days are longer, but my productivity couldn't be any less.
Not only have we Sprung forward, several other major events have come along to cause a "time change" in my life.
1. See those cute bags hanging out under my eyes, those are puppy-induced.
Early morning potty breaks, extra play time, learning to sleep through the night... 
I think we forgot what all of this was like with Doug the first time around.

2. Speaking of which, Doug was an only child for the first 3 & a half years of his life & a very spoiled one at that. So now that puppy #2 is around all the time, I try to take Doug out on long walks by himself. These Doug Dates are nice for the both of us & the adjustment is getting better everyday.

3. Ever since Ty & I got engaged my new favorite past time is a tie between staring at him & at my new ring... um, yea not the most productive activities!

4. Wedding season is upon us again, lots of seeing old friends but also many weekends out of town & away from my to-do list
So Spring has Sprung & so has my Spring fever.
I have been ignoring replying to your always wonderful comments, visiting my blog roll, commenting on your inspirational posts, & generally putting my all into this bloggy-blog of mine.

Thank you for your love on our engagement announcement & being the best readers ever (seriously, you bring a smile to my face daily!)... I am going to be back to my old self soon

Anyone else suffering from a case of Spring fever out there?
What are the causes of a "time change" in your life?

Sunday, March 24, 2013

color crush: b & w

As much as I love pairing my bright florals with my red/blue striped tops, I think print mixing with black & white patterns is even more fun. A little zig-zag with dots. Chevrons + checks. Oh, and my favorite b&w pattern, the windowpane (inspiration here, here & here)!
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 
I seriously cannot stop obsessing over b&w ... see more evidence on my Pinterest boards!
Are ready to wipe the slate clean and return to b&w for Spring?

Saturday, March 23, 2013

weekend reading: 03.23.13

1 // 2 // 3 
Ok, so I caved & already made a wedding inspiration board... 
please forgive me for the overload of pins!

This weekend : why don't you plan a date you have been dying to try?

1. Have you checked out Kate Spade's new venture
(I'm in love with everything... no surprise there!)

2. At almost $150, this J.Crew sweater costs a pretty penny, but I almost have myself convinced to purchase it... thoughts?

3. Sales are springing up everywhere (resistance is futile!) - 
30% off Gap shirts & dresses
25% off your entire Old Navy purchase
Buy 2 Sticky Grams, get the 3rd free!
30% off your J.Crew purchase & new arrivals at J.Crew Factory
Serious markdowns on ShoeMint
up to 70% off at Oasis (such cute Spring pieces!)

4. If I find a second of free time this weekend, I am officially painting everything I can grab gold. 
How amazing does this look?

5. Don't forget to enter to win the giveaway from Jonna of Everything but Ordinary 
AND my little diddy over on Always Maylee's blog!

Happy Weekend!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Spotlight: Everything But Ordinary

Today I have the immense pleasure of introducing my first blogger in the spotlight, Miss Jonna of Everything But Ordinary!
White button down // Michael Kors purse

I am overjoyed that Jonna & I met through blogging!
Not only is she a fellow frugal fashionista (with a fabulous "Finds for Less" series), she is a mother to a sweet boy & just rocked a workwear remix!


Also, I am so jealous that she just splurged on her dream bag... I mean, when in Vegas right!? (looks like she is going to need a new wishlist item!!)
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
Stylish, sweet & generously giving you the chance to win a $30 J.Crew giftcard!
What's not to love!?
Head on over to Everything But Ordinary & meet your new friend Jonna (after you enter the giveaway that is!!)


** Do you want to be my next blogger in the spotlight? Sign up here!
** Looking for more giveaways? Don't forget to enter the Golden Ponies clutch giveaway or my giftcard giveaway over on Always Maylee!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

garden party

{ What I Wore: Dress c/o DresseStylist // Sole Society heels // Maddy Nash clutch }
I have some words for the first day of Spring in Nashville... 30 degrees is not the way I want to welcome Madame Spring! 
Come on garden parties, picnics, Sunday afternoon motorcycle rides. Bring on the sundresses, wedges, & straw hats. Round up your gloves, puffer jackets & snoods to be packed away once & for all!
With my recent engagement on my mind, I can't help but dream of a Spring filled with wonderful celebrations & fabulous dresses
This kelly green number is certain to get major action in my Spring wardrobe, it IS the color of the year after all!
What are you dreaming to do this Spring?
Have you picked up any Spring dresses in Emerald Green (Pantone's Color of the Year) yet?

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Spring has Sprung

Spring has Sprung! And while I would like to be frolicking in the sunshine today, my boss is having none of that!
But what he doesn't know is that I am totally stalking all of the J.Crew Factory new Spring arrivals!
red // orange // yellow // green // blue // indigo // violet // pink
What color are you "springing" for?

Tailored & Tapered

{ What I Wore: J.Crew sweater // Gap trousers // ShoeDazzle Pumps }
{ Get the Look }
Happy 1st day of Spring!
Getting the most out of my Winter clothes now before Spring really hits her stride!
I have had these pants since high school (& will be sparing you the embarassing college pictures of me wearing them)... but once upon a time they were cropped & flared legs (um, yeaaaaa).
After a trip to the tailors, these babies came back nice & tapered.
I swear a saw a similar pair to these selling at J.Crew for way too much.
I can't believe I scored these for a sweet deal over 8 years ago & a simple trip to the tailors brought them into the modern era.
What piece have you revived at the tailor's lately?
Any plans for the 1st day of Spring??

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

How He Asked

Friday was like any other day, up & out the door late due to puppies being puppies. 
Working all day, grabbing Chipotle on the run, planning on getting off work by 6.
And then my boss grabbed me into a "beer meeting" at 5 ... we talked science over beers until after 6:45.
When I finally escaped his office, I glanced at my phone to see several missed texts/calls from Ty, but I still had work to be done before calling it a day.

Ty was texting me, asking me to give him an estimate of when I would be finished. My 15 minute estimate turned into an hour, & at about the 30 minute mark Ty walked into my lab to see what was taking so long. I think I said something like, "stop bothering me, I have experiments to do" & he went back to wait on me in the parking lot.

So finally right before the clock struck 8, I walked out of the research building I work in & hopped on the back of Ty's motorcycle to head home.
On the way to the townhouse is one of our favorite little spots in Nashville, "Love Circle". This grassy spot is on top of the highest point around & overlooks the Nashville skyline.
Ty peeled off to head up to Love Circle telling me that we should check it out as it was the first nice night that felt like Spring. A-ok with me after a long day at work.

When we got to the top of the hill, his guitar was out in the middle, & I started to get suspicious that something was up. Ty regularly serenades me at home & knows all my favorite songs. He started in to one I hadn't heard him play before, "I Wanna Grow Old With You", and it was soooo sweet. I still just thought he was being extra romantic, but nothing like what was to come next. Ty put his guitar away (after a little bump on the head, cute nervous boy) & pulled out a leather box from his guitar case. He started telling me the loveliest things & got down on one knee. Seeing the man you love more than anything in the entire world kneeling in front of you with a tiny box might be the best moment of my life... nope, it definitely is!

I said YES & leapt into his arms! Then I realized I should probably let him put that gorgeous ring on my finger & stopped kissing his face long enough to do just that.

We spent the rest of the evening celebrating with friends & when we were heading back home around 4 in the morning my face literally hurt from so much smiling, happiness, & telling "our story" over & over.... pure bliss.

Sure it wasn't the 6 pm, sunset engagement that Ty had been planning for weeks. His friend had to steak out on top of Love Circle for 2 hours watching the guitar. No one told me to dress cute or do my nails. 
But it is our story. And it is perfect.

Monday, March 18, 2013

this is your brain on love

I have no actual post for you today. Every time I started to type something, I got distracted my the big rock on my left hand! shiny object!

Ty totally surprised me on Friday & got down on one knee at our favorite little spot in Nashville.
I said maybe YES !!!!!!!
So my brain is a big pile of lovey dovey mush... & I can't stop saying "fiancé"
just in case you missed the big news on Instagram
I am going to go & smile some more & kiss that fiancé of mine!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

weekend links: 3.16.13

1 // 2 // 3 
This weekend why don't you : do some Spring cleaning?
(I have rounded up a bouquet of wonderful organizational ideas here)

- Have you heard the news? Google Reader will not be available after July 1st, 2013.... 
ok, breathe, it is all going to be just fine. 
I don't want you to miss out on any Here&Now goodness, so please make sure you are following me on Bloglovin'

- The wonderful folks over at Bloglovin' have even made it super easy to import your blog reader roll from other sources into one big beautiful bloggy base (my favorite reader of choice because it is user friendly, comes on my iPhone app, & able to be sorted into folders).

- Have you tried the new Pinterest layout? I am still getting used to it, but if you have a verified website on Pinterest, it is definitely worth the upgrade to get real-time analytics

- I am all things bar cart obsessed, & this shop is my new favorite destination for sweet gifts for friends

- Bri of DesignLoveFest is crafty, savvy, smart & freaking gorgeous - seriously, circus freak show eye-candy right here!

- Are you brushed up on your modern email etiquette?

- Speaking of which, have you ever wanted to un-send an email (my hand is raised)? Now you can!

- Ty & I actually got really into watching The Bachelor this season (we don't normally watch much TV besides on Sunday nights). I had AshLee winning, Ty had Lindsay... I guess he got closer! Did you pick The One?


Have a great weekend & don't forget to enter my giveaway 
for a luxe envelope clutch from Golden Ponies { here }

Friday, March 15, 2013

cat woman & a giveaway

Here & Now cat woman
{ What I Wore: Golden Ponies Clutch // Little Glamour Necklace // Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans // Target peplum // ShoeMint heels } 
{ Get the Look}
peplum top {$22.99} + black jeans {$29.50} + colorblocked clutch {$25} + leopard heels {$39.99} + initial necklace {$35}
Here & Now cat woman

Here & Now cat woman
Ty calls this my "cat suit"... I think he means that in a good way!
Here & Now cat woman
Here & Now cat woman
Y'all this is a first! I don't know how I first found Golden Ponies, but once I did, I couldn't believe the high quality gorgeous products & low prices & immediately ordered a leopard envelope clutch that I wear allllll the time (see my outfits here). I am a Golden Ponies fan girl. 

Of course, when I find something fabulous, I want to share it with you. So I reached out to Golden Ponies designer Erandi, & guess what, they want to make you a Golden Ponies believer too! Erandi has so generously given me this metallic snake print + blush pink clutch to pass along to you!


Happy Friday lovlies!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

in my dreams

I love the look of vintage dresses, but don't have the time to scout out vintage shops or the patience for thrift shops. The quality of vintage means that these prized possession are a showcase piece in many women's wardrobes. They exude timeless design & classic beauty. ... my style aesthetic dream!

Part of the reason that vintage dresses are so popular is quite simply because they fit in a way that contemporary dresses don't. A vintage dress accentuates a curve that you didn't know was sexy. When a woman wears wears a vintage dress, she walks with a new found confidence, heads turning as she passes. Vintage dresses scream elegance & I have found the website that will enable you to turn your wardrobe into a vintage paradise.

Fever Design is a modern fashion company that offers new dresses but with vintage designs that are produced with the craftsmanship ethic of the 40's & 50's. Clothes should be made to last & to fit well & that is what Fever Design provides.

How about a dress for a casual night out on the town after a hard week at work?
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
These beautiful dresses can double as casual evening wear or office wear. (How gorgeous is that LBD? Laced square neckline, quintessential 50's design, beauty & glamour without being too overstated.)

Not only does Fever Design offer a range of casual wear, but also formal event wear.
A range of their event dresses and accessories can be found here.
They range from dresses for proms & cocktail parties to dresses for weddings & bridesmaids (come on, I can't be the only one with another 7 weddings this summer!)
All with a vintage feel.

All these dresses are available at an affordable price, so why not treat yourself?
What is your favorite time period for vintage clothes?
1920's beaded gowns?
1950's Betty Draper dresses?
1970's flare leg jeans?

Thank you for supporting the companies that support Here&Now. I only tell you about companies/products I truly believe in!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Copper Top

Here & Now weekend style
{ What I Wore: Old Navy wrap sweater & ballet flats // Everlane tote & tank // J.Crew knit pants }
Here & Now weekend style
J <3 T (and I'm also loving this new necklace from Etsy seller Little Glamour)
Here & Now weekend style
You are allowed to run around make-up free & sporting bagged out in the knees sweatpants if your hair is salon fresh... riiiiight??
My fabulous hairdresser is calling this color "copper" & I'm calling it my inner ginger doing somersaults!
Y'all, I even dyed my eyebrows this time... that's commitment!

What do you call your hair color?

P.S. aren't you loving the new longer days? Don't forget to enter to win a chevron scarf (aka your new favorite Spring accessory). Enter here.

P.P.S I am also over on Oh, She Dabbles gushing about my favorite Spring trend here.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

little annoyances


“I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” - Marilyn Monroe

I have always loved this quote. While I'm sure as gorgeous as Marilyn was, any man would have put up with all her crazy, the good kind & the bad, I agree that to love someone you have to love their endearing & annoying qualities, the best & the worst (yes, that "&" is bolded, underlined AND italicized for emphasis).

I never thought that I would find myself living with a man, my significant other, before marriage, but that is the situation that I find myself in & I have to say, it is pretty fun.

Things are by no stretch of the imagination "perfect" - we are currently potty training the puppy, sometimes neither one of us wants to make dinner, I wake up on the wrong side of the bed (way more times than I care to admit), he doesn't read my mind nearly enough... yadda yadda yadda.
But I am living with my best friend, and I have to pinch myself daily.

Just to pull back the curtain of perfection that I'm sure all of you assume I live behind (sarcasm), here are some things that annoy us about each other:
- when I want something done, I want it done NOW (& he doesn't always move to the beat of my drum)
- he wakes up first thing in the mornings ready to go, I need 2-7 snoozes
- he thinks I grind my teeth against the metal silverware when I eat (I don't hear it)
- I don't understand why he has over/under 4 pairs of shoes in the living room at all times
- um, the toilet seat! He says it is just as much work for me to lower it back down as it is for him to raise it each time... but pretty sure he has never fallen in (I don't want to talk about it)
- I get on to him for never putting his clothes up, & then I look at the floor around my closet & have to eat all. my. words.
- he says I use up all the hot water (have you seen how much hair I have??)
- I pretend to not know how to work the DVR, he pretends to not know where anything is in the kitchen 

Do you guys have the same "little annoyances" in your relationship?
What are some others on your list?
Let's see who puts up with the most ;)