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Saturday, August 31, 2013

weekend reading: 8.31.13

1 // 2 // 3 
This weekend why don't you :: break out the big hats!


{what you might have missed on Here&Now}
{1.} my birthday suit.

{2.} a style session.

{3.} this blogging relevation... thank you for all your words of support too!

{4.} an outfit to frolic through fields in.

{5.} a blogger spotlight & a fab giveaway


{posts I'm loving around the internets}
{1.} this fabulous budget conscious challenge.

{2.} navy as the new black?

{3.} a Fall collection that I can't get enough of! 

{4.} fun date night ideas... for those last days of Summer!

{5.} a new to me blogger that I would like to trade hair with any time! (yes I have always dreamed of being blonde for a hot second & yes I also live under a rock)

{6.}  dreaming of gray boots... too fab!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Lipgloss & Crayons Blogger Spotlight

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to a lady that is beautiful on the inside & out! Carly blogs over at Lipgloss & Crayons, has the cutest style, which I have been falling for even more so now that she is dressing for two & is quite the cook to boot!

Without further ado, a little meet & greet with Carly herself:
necklace // perfume // tunic // boots


Outfits featured in this spotlight:

not shown, but I'm also loving her fresh take on the graphic tee & Summer stripes (totally crushing on her gorgeous hair color too!) 

Not that you need any more reasons to head on over & say hello to Carly,
but this pretty lady is giving away a $20 Sephora gift card to one of YOU!
How's that for a TGIF gift!?!?
(open to residents of any country that Sephora ships... go here to check)

**Comments are turned off today so you can head on over to Lipgloss & Crayons & say hello!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

hop to it

{ What I Wore: Paige Denim jacket* // BaubleBar necklace (similar) // J.Crew graphic tee (currently loving this one) // skirt c/o OASAP // Target sandals // Marc Jacobs x Target clutch (love this!) // Antro sunglasses }
*gifted in the SBS brunch swag bag
We were driving back from Portland when the sweet smell of hops filled the car. I knew that my boyfriend used hops for brewing beer (which I love), but had never seen one of these cuties in the flesh. After coercing Ty to pull. over. the. car. I jumped out & breathed in the sweetest, funkiest scent.
Fresh hops. Little pinecones of joy.
frolicking ensued. le duh.
Happy Thursday!

Don't forget to enter to the JoJo Loves You giveaway {here}

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

turtle on the halfshell

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Factory Blazer // dress c/o Red Dress Boutique // J.Crew Men's belt // Sole Society wedges, last year (similar here) // Yuni Kelley link bracelet // Tory Burch tortoise cuff, bought from a fellow blogger // Anthro sunglasses

Well in very un-Jessica like fashion, my birthday came & went without me making a huge to-do about it. Is this what 26 feels like? I don't know about that quite, but this IS what 26 looks like.
In my 26 years I have learned that 3 of my favorite things are: blazers, tortoise & scallops.
And on a girls' birthday she is certainly entitled to wear all three!
(because seriously, how fab is this dress!)

What would your "birthday suit" look like?

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a pair of pretty stud earrings from JoJo Loves You {here}

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

the art of staying put

{ What I Wore: J.Crew Panama hat // tunic c/o LookBook Store // Citizens of Humanity jeans (get the look for less here) // Target wedges }
When I started this blog back in October of 2011, I named it "Here & Now" because I needed a daily reminder to stop looking & wishing for the future. I had found myself in a new environment, grad school, that was completely different than what most of my college friends were doing (i.e. full time employment making way more money & working way less hours).

How easy it was to wish to either be back in the care-free days of college or to fast-forward to the time when all my blood, sweat & tears as a student would finally pay off. 
So I came here, to this little corner of the internet every night. Letting all of my girlie talk about fashion, trends, shopping & what nail polish I was currently craving melt my stress away (wine helps too).

I met women in similar situations as me, found a receptive audience that is always stimulating me with new conversation, & grew to find "blogging" a much loved part of my life. 
Now just shy of my 2 year "blogiversary" I am finally finding myself living up to the motto that I chose for myself: Here and Now.

So much of our culture is about growing. Getting more. Rising above all the rest. Working, working, working for things & stuffs. But I am finding myself wanting to stay right here.

I recently read this article on IFB (6 signs you are ready to quit your day job & blog professionally) & it literally scared the bejesus out of me. I like my hobby blog, the one that lets me get away with saying what I want, wearing what pleases me & sticking to my grad school budget. Sure the wonderful brands that I have gotten to work with are a fabulous bonus. Hosting giveaways & meeting new followers never fails to bring a smile to my face. Waking up to see that you guys liked the 1,000th picture of my pug as much as I do, starts my day off unbelievably right. And I just know that I have best friends in the making all around this great country & some spread into far corners of the world to boot!

But I want to cultivate this moment. 
Bloom where I am planted if you will.
And that is right here. Right now.
Woah - that might have just gotten a little heavy for a Tuesday morning, but I wanted you all (y'all) to be on the same page as me. 
Sometimes I have to make myself not feel guilty if I want to make spontaneous Monday night plans out instead of curling up on the couch with my girls (that's you fine folks!).

Have you ever had trouble balancing your L.I.V.I.N. with your B.L.O.G.G.I.N.?
Tell me your secrets for finding more balance & doing it all!!

P.S. Don't forget to win the giveaway for a pretty pair of earrings from Jojo Loves You {here}

Monday, August 26, 2013

style school is in session



{ What I Wore: necklaces c/o Sheer Addiction // J.Crew chambray top // J.Crew Factory striped skirt (similar) // Yuni Kelley bracelet // Michael Kors watch // Hobo purse (obsessed with this one) // ShoeMint "Bess" heels }

Looking for a some serious statement making necklaces? I am loving these Sheer Addiction jewels. Currently stacking the "Asher" & "Courtney" on repeat.
When J.Crew invites you for an evening of playing dress up in their new arrivals with fellow bloggers & cupcakes, you go. And then you Instagram the crap out of it... just sayin'.
Row 1: dressing room selfies... duh!
Row 2: The adorable Holly from Scuttle // quilted jacket + equestrian sweater // Kate from Stilettoed to Steeltoed getting her shop on
Row 5: two of our BlogNashville ladies // where three bloggers are present, you will find a room full of stylish shoes // camo pants + statement jewels + chic oxfords
Row 6: team oxford // decisions, decisions // tuxedo stripe chinos
Row 7: the things bloggers do to get "the shot" // dressing room damage // too. much. fun

But seriously, the J.Crew Fall collection is the things my dreams are made of.
Think lots of leather, bold colors, camo as a neutral, necklaces the bigger the better, menswear chic, & the uncanny ability that J.Crew has to constantly keep updating classics into totally covetable pieces season after season!

What is your favorite piece from the J.Crew new arrivals?

P.S. don't forget to enter to win a pair of earrings from Jojo Loves You {here}

P.P.S. I am linking up with the Walking in Memphis in High Heels Trend Spin {here}

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Sunday Shopping: Bootie-licious

A couple of weeks ago I went to the mall & hunted & hunted for the perfect pair of casual booties. I thought I had struck gold with these cuties, but after putting them on for a few minutes I unfortunately realized that the lining was defective & the store didn't have another pair in my size.

So I came home & took my search to the internets.
And all I have to say is: holy goodness! Too many choices, where to start! 
Which pair is your favorite?
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10
Also don't forget to enter to win a pair of blinged out earrings from Jojo Loves You {here}

Saturday, August 24, 2013

weekend reading: 8.24.13

1 // 2 // 3

this weekend why don't you :: start adding some Fall colors into your wardrobe?
(I'm crushing hard on mustard!)


{what you might have missed on Here&Now}
{1.}  a fun photoshoot that is all about girl time.

{2.} transitioning a Summer dress to Fall (& a chance to vote to send me to NYFW!)

{3.} making the most of my Summer wardrobe before the changing of the seasons.

{4.} Enter to win some new bling from Jojo Loves You {here}

{5.} I had way to much fun on a week night at J.Crew this week... my favorite Fall trends all in one place here!



{posts I'm loving around the internets}
{1.} I am smiling ear to ear looking at this shoot of a pretty girl & her handsome pup!

{2.} 10 pieces you need in your transitional wardrobe (I couldn't agree more!)

{3.} what 1 (fabulous) blogger learned in her 1st year of blogging

{4.}  20 truths that we need to learn in our 20s... which ones hit home for you?

{5.} my current blogger crush - this lady has mad classic style!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Jojo Loves You

Because I believe that every woman needs a rainbow of bling in her life, I am happy to introduce you to Jojo Loves You. A brand that is all about the colorful, the sparkly & the good things in life.
Jojo certainly does love YOU, because today she is giving one lucky reader a pair of the oh-so-fabulous Cushion Cut Bling earrings... seriously every color under the rainbow is available, so good luck choosing YOUR shade!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

a glamping we go

I am blessed to have true girlfriends in my life.
The kind that let me dress them up, top them with flower crowns & drag them out to a mini mint camper in the middle of no-where for a photoshoot on a moment's notice.
But seriously, when the coordinators of The NotWedding asked if a couple of my bridesmaids & I could join them for a glam camping ("glamping") bachelorette photoshoot, I just couldn't say no!

Because honestly, this IS my idea of a good time:
Special thanks to the wonderful people that made this possible! 
Including:
Styling + Vintage Rentals | Elizabeth Ulrich, Stockroom Vintage
Floral Headpieces | Flower Crown Society

Who else is now itching for a weekend away with the girls!?

P.S. Enter to win 1 or 3 pairs of denim Celebrity Pink Jeans is giving away {here}

P.P.S. To all my Nashville ladies, join me tonight at the Green Hills Mall J.Crew for a special styling session {more info here}

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Hump Day Wisdom

{ What I Wore: tank c/o Skip n' Whistle // Paige Denim jacket* // J.Crew Factory skirt // Yuni Kelley bracelet // wedges c/o Sole Society }
*gifted by the Southern Blog Society 
Mix up your wardrobe: don't want to tuck your shirt in, try knotting it in the back!
Love this skirt, but dang it all, it creases the minute you sit down!
1 month until Autumn
125 days until Christmas
6120 hours until I get married
only 1 today... make it worth it!

It is that time of year when the days seem to be just flying by! 
As my Hump Day wisdom: live for today! 
(Fall, Pumpkin Spice Lattes & beanies will be here soon enough!)

P.S. enter to win 1 of 3 pairs of denim from Celebrity Pink Jeans {here}

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

winds of change

{ What I Wore: necklace c/o Sheer Addiction // J.Crew utility jacket (this year's version) // Everlane tank // jeans c/o Celebrity Pink Jeans (coming soon) // Wallis wedges* (similar at Target) }
*purchased using a gift card won in a blogger competition
I typically describe my style has feminine, relaxed & classic. But this Fall I am finding myself drawn to edgier pieces, darker colors, more layered looks. On the list of things that are really doing it for me these days: chunky chains, military inspired jackets, urban shoes, printed denim & messy locks.... who am I?
Has your style outlook changed for Fall? 
What Fall denim are you crushing on?

Don't forget to enter to win 1 of 3 pairs of jeans Celebrity Pink Jeans is giving away to 3 of you lucky ducks!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Transitional Style: Fall

Transitional Fall Style @WallisFashion #WallisFashion
{What I Wore: dress c/o Wallis // jacket, thrifted (love this one) // Lilac Bijoux necklace (similar) // Theit camera bag // Aldo booties
Transitional Fall Style @WallisFashion #WallisFashion
I have been having so much fun wearing this gorgeous polka dot dress from Wallis.
Last time I showed off this number, I dressed it up for a Summer night out - shown here.
Transitional Fall Style @WallisFashion #WallisFashion
This time I tried to throw all my favorite Fall trends at it to yet again remind you why classic pieces should be the foundation of your closet. 
Trends come & go, but this dress will continue to chameleon each & every year with you, because it is... say it with me now... a classic!

A moto jacket + statement necklace + casual ankle booties take this dress from dressy dinner plans to day-time chicness... if I do say so myself!
I think once the weather cools off, adding colored tights will be the perfect final layer... all my favorite Fall elements all in one place :)
Transitional Fall Style @WallisFashion #WallisFashion
Transitional Fall Style @WallisFashion #WallisFashion
So please share, how do you transition your Summer pieces for those falling temps that are right around the corner?

As a reminder, this transitional style campaign is also a fun little competition for us bloggers. 
Wallis is going to send 1 lucky blogger to New York Fashion Week & I would be thrilled to be the chosen one!
Please help me win the grand prize by tweeting (click the link to tweet!)


And by voting here: http://bit.ly/14Fyjj5
(you can vote once each hour until August 26th & if I win, I have a fab "thank you" giveaway cooked up!)