begonia

Pieces in my closet only get to stay if they are team players that can work with many other pieces, for many different occasions. I wore this Ann Taylor dress with a leather jacket and heels for a recent blogger brunch, but it works equally well with flats and cognac accessories for warm weather explorations. Pretty blush pink dress - you're a keeper!

dress: Ann Taylor lace "begonia" dress

shoes: Nisolo "Serena" sandals (the most versatile pair of Summer shoes in my closet)

purse: pebbled leather crossbody (with monogram!) c/o Gigi New York

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photo

basics

Ok, let's see how many of my usual buzz words I can fit into my post today.

We are moving (I know, I said I was going to try to not mention it for a while... whoops), & I'm clearing out my closet (find some of the pieces on Poshmark!) - not surprisingly the pieces that made it easily through the first round of cuts were the basic pieces - my black wrap dress, solid Summer dresses, neutral shoes that go with everything... you catch my drift.

The thing is, I really can't remember a time that I've regretting purchasing a foundational wardrobe item. And you'll never hear me say, "This straightforward black dress doesn't go with anything!". Sure, the basics are not going to necessarily wow on their own, but they provide the backdrop for everything else! The more I focus on starting outfits with my favorite basic pieces, the less I find myself standing in front of my jam-packed closet with the "I have nothing to wear" complaint.

When I saw this black swing dress I loved that it was one of my favorite cuts (see how I styled a similar swing dress 3 ways last Summer), but it has a fun back detail to give it an extra something something.

I had already worn this hat + sandals combo with another dress recently, so they were the first accessories to pop into my head, but this dress can literally be styled so many different ways for this Summer & I can't wait to get it next to some color!

dress: cross back shift dress  (also available in stripes)

Fit tip: I got the size small, & almost wish that I had gotten a size medium for an extra swingy loose fit.

hat: boater hat c/o Sole Society

shoes: lace up sandals c/o Sole Society

purse: Coach wristlet

sunglasses: similar from Warby Parker

necklace: tassel necklace c/o francesca's (also loving this one with semi-precious stones)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

nerdy by nature

This is an outfit made of "most-perfects". The most perfect chamber blazer. With the most perfect graphic tee. The most perfect shape of a handbag. And the most perfect thick, distressed in all the right places, ripped denim. What? I couldn't help myself!

shirt: Suburban Riot graphic tee

jeans: BLANK NYC distressed denim 
Fit tip: I'm wearing a size 26 & they fit a little tight. If you are looking for more of a boyfriend fit, order 1 size up

blazer: Banana Republic double breasted chambray blazer

purse: c/o Cuore & Pelle

necklace: Showgirl fringe necklace c/o Bauble Bar

shoes: Steve Madden heels

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

It is most appropriate that this is the "showgirl fringe" necklace from BaubleBar & I am inappropriately obsessed with it!

Shop these exact pieces:

boaters

Last Summer it was all about the Panama Hat (I wore mine to death - see the outfits here), but 2016 is the year of the boater hat! I just picked up this one from Sole Society & I'm confident you will be seeing it on the blog many times in the coming months. I like how it adds a touch of French gamine to my favorite warm weather dresses!

One feature I didn't expect about this hat - it has a hidden adjustable drawstring that allows it to be perfectly fitted to most any head size… my weirdly sized head much appreciates it!

dress: Wayf floral midi dress

hat: boater hat c/o Sole Society

shoes: lace up sandals c/o Sole Society

You know those ridiculous "stranded on a deserted island" questions? Well, if I was stranded on a deserted island, and could only purchase 1 brand of shoes, I would easily pick Sole Society! Also loving these platform espadrilles from Sole Society (like an unreasonable amount of love for these shoes!)

purse: Rebecca Minkoff 5 zip crossbody

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Shop these exact pieces:

black velvet

This past Fall Nashville officially stepped into the future when we got our own Sprinkles cupcake ATM - I completely approve of this advance in technology. To be honest, I never really got into the whole cupcake frenzy, but this cupcake ATM introduced the perfect combination of single served cupcakes & on demand delivery in a way that completely blew my mind.

Just as I was getting used to the unlimited access of red velvet cupcakes in my life, Sprinkles had to go & up the ante - rolling out a Black Velvet cupcake to celebrate their 11th anniversary! I stopped by the Nashville shop this past weekend to test it out (hey, blogging is a tough gig!) & dressed up in my best black duds to ring in the occasion. I managed to hold off devouring the cupcakes until I got home & then my husband I devoured them, barely holding ourselves from straight up licking the plates! Never in my life have I experienced whipped chocolate ganache, but I am a changed woman!

If you have a Sprinkles in your area, I highly recommend this experience, but don't wait #BlackVelvet is only around through the end of April!

Peep my Black Velvet inspired outfit below :)

top: LUSH long tunic tank (only $34 & comes in 7 gorgeous colors! I ordered the XS & it fits perfectly!)

necklace: "queen bee" necklace c/o Bauble Bar

jeans: BLANK NYC distressed denim (love the raw edges & the denim is so thick and dreamy!)

shoes: Steve Madden heels

cupcakes: Sprinkles Cupcakes (the cupcake ATM in 12th South is so cute!)

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Shop these exact pieces:

Bloggers Who Budget: Blush for Less

I purchased this J.Crew Factory skirt a few months ago & really liked how I styled it for the blog back in February (post here), but then I saw a Kate Spade shop girl wearing a similar pleated skirt with flat motorcycle boots & she just looked so gosh darn COOL that I knew I had to recreate what she had going on! This is my best attempt - while I usually trend more preppy in my style, I like this extra bit of edge added to the sweet pink skirt!

Looking for an extra does of blush in your life (one half of the dynamic duo that Pantone named as the colors of the year), be sure to check out my fellow Bloggers Who Budget to see how they are styling their budget friendly blush pieces this month!

Pearls & Twirls | Let It Be Beautiful | Here&Now | Living in Color Style | Stylin in St. Louis

skirt: J.Crew Factory pleated blush skirt (no longer available in the blush color, but I found this near identical style for only $49 & linked several similar skirts below)

tank: J.Crew Factory layering tank

jacket: H&M faux leather jacket (several years old, but they have a similar style available now)

shoes: Rockport Chelsea boots {now under $100} (similar + budget friendly options here & here)

necklace: Sheer Addiction jewelry 

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

I have a yellow pleated midi skirt that is similar to this skirt, & I have found myself re-creating some of the outfits I originally styled with the yellow skirt including this look & these outfits too! When you find what works… buy it in every color…? That is a saying, right?!

What pieces have you been wearing & re-wearing already this Spring?

Get the look - shop blush midi skirts:

Summer Bucket List

When I first moved to Nashville for grad school in 2009, many of my first experiences were possible thanks to the great deals I found on Groupon (#GradSchoolBudget) - right off the top of my head I remember concerts, brewery tours, dinners at Nashville restaurants, painting classes & even a crawfish boil. But over time, the Groupon emails made me experience major FOMO because I was too busy to take advantage of the offerings, so I added my Groupon emails to my inbox folder named "Stuff to Buy" (seriously, if you suffer from impulse-buying-itis like me, this is a great way to file all the tempting emails into one location, so when you actually DO need (ok WANT) something, you know where to find all the sweet sales & discount codes!) 

But now that we are thinking about moving to a new town, I cracked open the Groupon deal vault once again & I am blown away by how many new features & categories of deals they have added during my hiatus! If you saw on Snapchat yesterday (@jesshereandnow), we are planning a road trip between Nashville & our next city (currently down to Portland or Denver), & will be taking to the open road with the pugs for at least 1 month! The headache of figuring out where to stay (with dogs!) just got so much easier thanks to Groupon travel deals! I'm dying over this Colorado Springs hotel with views of the mountains close to Pikes Peak, this dog friendly hotel outside Vegas is under $50 a night & they even have bargains on lodging close to Yosemite National Park!

Then there are the (new to me!) Groupon Shops - the easiest way to find coupons & discount codes! They have many of my favorite stores including aerie, Nordstrom, Birchbox & even travel sites like Travelocity! Check out all of the participating stores here. 

And of course, an incredible selection of Groupon Goods, including everything you need for the most epic Summer, including this giant 4 person water float (WHAT!?), yard games, picnic basket & FitBits (gotta track those steps!).

What amazing deals have you found on Groupon lately!? Any one planning a road trip for this Summer? What else is on your Summer Bucket list?

Any experienced road trippers - we are welcoming any & all road trip tips for our upcoming travels too!

This post was sponsored by Groupon, but all opinions and reviews are my own. 

weekend reading: 04.16.16

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This weekend why don't you :: go for a white out in a polished dress!

{what you might have missed on Here&Now}

{1.} You might have seen this Old Navy peplum cami popping up all over the place, & it really is that good! I purchased two different prints & styled them here & here - they were the perfect piece to throw on during out recent trip to Asheville! 

{2.} Shopping local boutiques is a former past time of mine that I am trying to get back into - I love seeing the curated selections & meeting the shop owners (as a former boutique employee myself, I have a special soft spot for them!). I recently checked out Soca Nashville here in Green Hills, & styled this safari chic dress & day-to-night romper from their adorable pieces!

{3.} I'm always on the hunt for companies that make amazing products in a way that is responsible & environmentally conscious. Definitely adding Sea Bags to my list of brands that practice #ConsciousConsumerism - their totes made of recycled sails are not only eco-friendly, but durable & stylish! See how I styled one of their new totes for Spring here. 

{4.} I have this polka dot skirt that I love, however it is actually one of my most annoying pieces because people ALWAYS ask where I got it, but I picked it up at a second-hand store & haven't been able to find a similar one... until now! See how I styled my favorite polka dot skirt + find out where you can find one of your own (psst - it's on sale right now!) 

{5.} Teaming up with Banana Republic to show you the buggier side of Spring in this embellished short-sleeved sweatshirt - it is chicer than it sounds :) 

{6.} I'm starting to find my skin-care & beauty routine & sharing my most recent empties & what I will most definitely be refilling soon! Empties + Refills post here. 

{7.} I am definitely a comfort over style girl, but luckily, I've recently found some pieces that are BOTH! This oversized gingham shirt is perfect with skinny bottoms (yes, even leggings!) & this Old Navy slip dress is a secret miracle worker - way better on than it first appeared on the rack! 

{Blogger Inspiration} This week I'm sharing some of my favorite bloggers for real life inspiration, including one of their outfits that is currently giving me all the heart eyes. 

{1.}  Tara of The Mix - My teacher work wear muse! Tara is a mix master of color & prints, and has the most enviable collection of pencil skirts! The floral skirt she is rocking in this post is no exception.

{2.} Shelby of Glitter & Gingham - I love how she styled her long sleeveless vest with a Spring dress! Shelby is my go to for everyday basics with a touch of glam!

{3.} Jen of Skirt the Rules - she is sassy & knows how to add the right amount of pizazz to work & weekend outfits! I love this black & white dress she is rocking in a recent post.

{4.} Krystin of Suburban Faux Pas - this is my #goals read of how to seamlessly mix in wardrobe staples & statement making pieces! The update she gave to her chambray top & white jeans in this post is my recent favorite! 

{5.} Audrey of Putting Me Together - the way Audrey explains how to build a foundational wardrobe is like exactly what I wish I could form into coherent sentences. Her recent review of slacks is so detailed & actually useful! 

out all day

My favorite warm weather pieces? Those that seamlessly transition from day to night, because sometimes you are just having too much fun to go home for a change!

This striped romper from Soca Nashville looks great with flats & a beach bag to cover up at the pool & equally fab with heels + a cute cross body for dancing nights!

Which way is your favorite?

Be sure to check out my 90s inspired outfit featuring a dress from Soca Nashville here. And if you are a Nashvillian, visit Soca Boutique at their adorable Green Hills store!

romper: borrowed from Soca Nashville - to purchase call 615-732-0990

DAY:

flats: X-strap sandals purchased via a gift card from Kohl's

tote: super old from Sam Moon (we grew up going on back-to-school shopping trips in Dallas & this was a favorite spot!)

sunglasses: Krewe du Optic lucite sunglasses (more affordable option from Warby Parker)

NIGHT:

shoes: Steve Madden

purse: Tiny Tote c/o Dagne Dover

necklace: Gorjana gold bar necklace

All Photos | Catherine Truman Photography

Sea Bags Giveaway!

Today is the last day to enter to win your own Sea Bags tote! Sea Bags designs are made in the USA from up-cycled sails (collected directly from the sailing community & boaters themselves!). I love the chic nautical inspired prints & colors! I was pleasantly shocked when I read that in the last 15 years Sea Bags has saved over 500 tons of materials ending up in landfills - read more about their intentional bag making process here. 

Not only are the sails that Sea Bags uses for their creations incredibly durable, but they have so much character! Their collection of vintage bags are so eye catching, I love how they save the original insignia and designs of the sails, from their previous life on a sailboat! And they have seriously perfected the Beach Bag with their Ogunquit tote!

The bag I chose is their popular lobster tote that has been remixed in fresh lime green for Spring. Like all of their classic totes, mine is made with hard-wearing recycled sails & hand-spliced hemp rope handles (It is so cool how the rope handles go along the side & under the bottom for the ultimate support of your stuff!).

Enter to win your own Sea Bags lobster tote using the Rafflecopter widget below. A random winner will be selected TOMORROW! You can easily earn entries, many different ways!!

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