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{ What I Wore: skirt ℅ Chicwish // faux leather jacket from H&M // Steve Madden over the knee boots // J.Crew Factory tank // nameplate necklace ℅ T. Audrey }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Black and white and easy all over.

P.S. Stretchy skirts are key during this season of eating.

What is your post-Thanksgiving meal outfit trick?

The Big Event

I have had a sluggish start to my Christmas shopping. A few things here & there, but nothing with much steam behind it. I knew I was waiting for something, but I didn't know what it was… until I heard about the Shopbop BIG EVENT! All full price and sale price items are on sale - just in time to knock out that holiday shopping!

I am in love with everything on their Under $100 Gift Guide. Shop my favorites below: 

(the gifts for the home guide is my second favorite… in major nesting mode lately)

{1} Sarah Chloe monogram necklace // {2} C. Wonder ceramic coasters // {3} Kate Spade sleep mask // {4} Black & White frame from the Gift Boutique (so on point!) // {5} Nixon mini (but powerful) speaker // {6} Rifle Paper Co. Stationary // {7} C. Wonder cocktail shaker // {8} Kate Spade notebook // {9} Rebecca Minkoff sunglass case // {10} Jonathan Adler rose gold candle // {11} Adrienne Landau earmuffs 

The BIG Sale begins TODAY (Tuesday, November 25th) and runs until Monday December 1st. 

The best part?! There are NO brand exclusions, & with this sale, the more you purchase the better the savings. What I suggest? Find friends & place a big group purchase to get the biggest savings! (Use code GOBIG14 at checkout, find more details here)

Spend $250= 15% off

Spend $500= 20% off

Spend $1000 = 25% off

luxe neutrals

{ What I Wore: coat ℅ Chicwish (now 15% off!) // fur scarf ℅ Zappos // Paige Denim ℅ Zappos // BCBG shoes via TJ Maxx // J.Crew Factory shirt (sold out, loving this print these days!) // sunglasses ℅ Krewe du optic (similar) }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo 

This is my jam lately - literally everything falls into the "favorite" category of my closet.

Downsizing has has many down-sides (excuse my pun), but falling in love with my closet all over again isn't one of them!

This camel coat has made me enjoy the transition to cooler temps like never before.

What piece is making your slide into the polar plunge more doable?

the dream vs. the reality

{ all photos via my Pinterest "home love" board }

I dream of living a minimalistic lifestyle. Of having a only highly curated collection of beloved items in my home. Of a sparse closet filled with neutral luxe basics. Only what I need. Everything with extreme utility. Less quantity. More quality.

In fact I have been actively seeking this out my entire stay in Nashville. When I moved here in 2009, I settled into a 1600 sq. foot apartment. That baby was a palace! Since, I have progressively downsized, so that I now share 700 sq. feet with my husband, 2 pugs, & all the clothes I have accumulated throughout the years. 

During our last move from a 975 sq. foot home to our current place, I started to slough off anything that I didn't love. See you later cheap particle board bedroom set. Bye buckets of questionable clothing from college theme party nights. Get outta here mis-matched dishes. Thankfully we were able to upgrade much of our kitchen goods & some furniture with the help of generous wedding presents, so those were not very difficult good-byes.

The hard ones were the pieces well worn with memories. The antique iron bed frame that I had had since being a little girl - it was full size, & I knew I would not have a bed that size again for at least a very long time (future little girl's room 10+ years from now?). The Fiesta dishes I had used since college - no longer a complete set because I am clumsy, but I had so many memories with those plates. A family typewriter that I loved to look at, but never used (That piece had a happy Nashville ending, & now lives at this coffee shop).

The clothing purge is a whole different story as well. I am still working on ridding my closet of "one-hit wonders", inexpensive trendy items, & duplicates that aren't doing anything for me. I have already donated several bags to Goodwill, had clothing swaps with friends, & sold some on Poshmark, but still have a pile on my floor of items that I know I should part with… the struggle! Mostly I have my closet down to a reasonable number of items, & am now working on a one-in-one-out policy for upgrading the quality of my most worn items (the closet staples, duh).

But here is where the dream of living a minimalistic lifestyle meets the reality of my life. What about all the dog stuff? What about all those pictures? What about off season clothes? Where do holiday decorations go? Those boxes & boxes of beauty products? 

I had convinced myself that I was just a terrible American consumerist who couldn't part with my stuff, thus undeserving of that streamlined Scandinavian lifestyle I so lusted after. But then this Instagram let me in on a little secret - it isn't about having less stuff, it is about having more (off-location) storage. Is this the truth behind all those pictures on my Pinterest board? How did I not realize this before? I feel like I just discovered photoshopping in magazines… so naive! 

For now, I will continue to evaluate the utility of everything in my life (my goal is to usually rehome/sell/throw away something everyday!) & dream of this utilitarian apartment in my mind.

Do you dream of living a minimalistic lifestyle? How do you cut out the extra stuff from your life? More storage? An extreme level of self control? Tell me your secrets!

cronut

{ What I Wore to coffee: Le Tote dress // hat ℅ Surfdome (sold out, almost identical option) // Freebird boots ℅ Zappos // purse ℅ Gigi New York }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

Giving thanks for the upcoming weekend, long coffees with friends, & cronuts!

I recently discovered this delectable treat in Nashville & must agree, it is worth the hype! (in fact, I had one of each flavor… all in one sitting!)

Nashvillians, Lady Boy Donuts is now selling cronuts at Pinewood Social during weekend brunch. Follow Lady Boy Donuts on Instagram to find out when they drop off a fresh delivery (they go FAST!)

yearly PSA

{ What I Wore: dress ℅ White Plum // J.Crew scarf (love this season's style) // H&M faux leather jacket (similar, under $100) }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

Apparently I am making this my yearly announcement (the last announcement came in January 2013) - Ladies, your maxi dresses/skirts work just as fabulously for Winter as they do for Summer. Layer up the jackets, scarfs, & hide an extra layer of tights underneath… the maxi truly is a year-round staple!

I could live in this dress (& have before) so my arm definitely does NOT have to be twisted to leave it hanging in my closet even in cooler months (thank you polar plunge!)

What Summer look are you surprised to find works equally well during the Fall/Winter months?

Wedding Wednesday: The Ceremony

I've got to say, the ceremony part of our wedding was the part I worried about most. Would people be entertained? Were we doing it right? Would all of the wedding party know what to do? Would our songs sound good? Would it be too long? Too short?

In the end, it was, like the rest of our glorious wedding day, just right. My childhood pastor came into town to wed us. My talented friends played music (I cried). My sweet sister read a beloved poem (I cried). My father walked me down the aisle (We both cried). Our friends and family literally surrounded us (They cried). I got to hold hands with my best friend the entire time (He cried). And everyone cried tears of joy the entire time.

Scroll down to read my Do's and Dont's for your wedding ceremony:

Do:

Include your family traditions. This is personally my favorite part of weddings!

Expect that if you have littles, dogs, animals of any kind included in your plans, things are not going to go smoothly. We had a reluctant ring-bearer situation, & luckily his older brother stepped at the last minute to help. No harm, no foul, the pictures turned out cute!

Invite friends & family to share their talents. My sister read a poem, and two of our friends played music. We totally cried.

Build in time after the ceremony for signing your marriage license. You know, making it legal & stuff (bonus points if your bridal party brings you celebratory beers while you sign!)

Do not:

Stress about the time. Want a quick 15 minute service? Do it. Looking to enthrall your audience for 2 hours with a lyrical dance that recreates your love story? By all means. Everyone in attendance is there to see you, celebrate you, & party with you. Most likely you are providing them with an all inclusive party afterwards, so leave the stress behind, & you do you.

Rush. Yes, all eyes are on you. You are getting married silly! Take a deep breath & soak it in. I am so grateful that my father walked me down the aisle at a snail's pace. I got to make eye contact with all our guests, & really soak it in. Even if it did mean seeing my friend in his banana yellow SHORTS and giving him the stink eye (thanks Shawn!)

Married friends - what are your wedding ceremony Do's and Dont's?

Those of you planning your wedding ceremony - what are your must haves?

{Follow the rest of our wedding day posts}

Gift Guide: Impeccable

I loved getting to kickstart my holiday shopping with The Impeccable Pig last week. The Nashville store is loaded with gifts for everyone on my list. Jewelry from statement making JMARIE pieces to dainty Doggeared products, you are sure to find one, or 5 pieces to please!

As soon as you walk in the store you will DIE for how yummy it smells. The Capri Blue candles are no joke (someone on my list is getting a "volcano" one this year).

And then there are the fabulous handbags (I have my eye on a reversible tote!), & basically your one stop shop for fun fashion tops/sweaters + Flying Monkey Jeans - the best fitting skinny jeans for $52.00! See below for my must have gifting ideas:

// {1} A vest to keep your bestie warm // {2} versatile canvas clutch for your sister // {3} Lily and Laura bracelets for your co-workers // {4} a puffer your mom will love // {5} pretty scarf for your boss // {6} sequin romper (NYE anyone!?) // {7} feminine gold dress // {8} metallic floral dress, sweet enough for family parties, sassy enough for anything! // 

Shop all of their fabulous outerwear options (loving every vest!), fashionable bags & affordable scarves (all under $24)! Don't forget about all those holiday party dresses too - pick up one for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years & still have some money left in your pockets!

I am personally hoping that Santa brings me a handful of stackable dainty rings like these below! I might have been the crazy person trying on every single ring in the store last week!!

See all the delicious new arrivals being added daily by following along on with The Impeccable Pig on Instagram.

And look to see which of their locations is closest to you or order online/over the phone! 

Have you started your Christmas Shopping yet? What seems to be the hot item on everyone'e wish list this year?