girl about town

{shop these exact pieces + other favorites}

top: J.Crew lace top (now on sale for 33% off + available in black, baby blue & ivory)

purse: Clare V leopard clutch (hands down my favorite clutch - worth every penny!)

jeans: Citizens of Humanity flare leg jeans

heels: old from ShoeMint (looks like they don't exist anymore - but found similar pairs from Sole Society)

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

I love living in Denver because there are always new restaurants/bars/hiking trails to check out, & fun activities from the city to the mountains. Recently I wore this lacy top (now on sale here) for a night of exploring in the RiNo neighborhood & found a new bar to add to our list of favorites. Nocturne is a funky little jazz bar - tasty cocktails + live music.

What ways do you find new local spots in your town? I use Localeur - an app of recommended spots, curated by vetted locals in each city. I use to contribute to the Nashville page, & still love staying updated on new places as they pop up - a yearly visit to enjoy the best of Nashville food & drink has to be an official tradition!

night life

I have already worn this dress for day time adventures around Denver (full outfit post here), but it is oh so perfect for date night too! One hit wonders don't make it long in my closet, as every piece has to earn its space by being versatile for season/occasion, & this piece has claimed its stake to stay. I loved dressing this gorgeous floral print maxi dress up for a pool hall date with sassy tassel earrings + glam velvet heels (also available in peep toe)! Read on to shop these exact items! 

If you are in Denver have you spotted this new pool hall in RiNo? I love that it is tucked in an alley, so it feels like you have your own piece of the city!

What are your best tricks for transitioning a piece from day to night? How do you vet new pieces into your closet?

{shop these exact pieces + other favorites}

dress: Nordstrom floral maxi dress (sizes fully stocked, only $65!)

heels: indigo rd. velvet heels (also available in blush + black)

sunglasses: old from ASOS (similar)

earrings: tassle earrings c/o 7 Charming Sisters (under $30 & gorgeous in person!)

lipstick: Nars "heat wave"

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography 

{shop my indigo rd. favorites}

taco Tuesday

Happy Taco Tuesday! I am excited to share another local Denver spot with you, in partnership with car2go! When visiting the Mile High City, you have to put the RiNo neighborhood on your list for mural peeping and brewery hopping, but The Source is also a must visit spot in this hip area just north of Downtown. Located in a gorgeously restored warehouse, The Source has options for everyone - a brewery (featuring sours, my favorite is the rosé!),  yummy farm-to-table restaurant, small batch liquor store, whole animal butcher, florist, coffee shop, bakery & one of my favorite taco spots - Comida!

Don't tell me you don't have a #TacoTuesday dress? I do, & it makes this weekly tradition that much more festive! While Denver is currently experiencing snow, I know the sun is just waiting to make its return, so this dress will be ready to go once it does! 

Do you celebrate Taco Tuesday? Where is your favorite local spot??

{shop these exact pieces + other favorites}

dress: Chicwish pom-pom trim dress (now 25% off!)

shoes: Nisolo slides (forever favorites along with their Serena sandal - both now on sale!)

Shop all Nisolo products (their leather goods make sure to please presents!) with my referral link & you get $25 off your purchase (+ I get $25!)

sunglasses: Ray-Ban aviators (green + gold is a classic combo)

lipstick: By Terry liquid lipstick (makes a great gift set!)

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

knitted

My usual Christmas present M.O. is to purchase a few presents each month so that by the time November rolls around, all of the people have been crossed off my list & the presents are all ready wrapped & ready to go by Thanksgiving... I know, I was the annoying overachiever kid who always wanted a gold star.

This year however is very different, & I'm freaking out! The intensity of our whole home buying process threw a wrench in my plans, & I haven't even thought about presents since we started the house hunt in the Spring... meaning, I have crossed off no names, & am looking at Thanksgiving looming straight ahead with ZERO presents stashed away (plus a bank account that I have already mentally squirreled away for appliances + furniture).

So this year, I am going to have to buy all of my presents in the next month, on a budget & am looking at uncharted territory! I plan to do just a few gift guide posts over the next couple of weeks, purchasing on unique, budget friendly shops, and am kicking off my share-fest with today's fabulous shop: 7 Charming Sisters.

I love that you can shop for pieces curated by the personality of each "sister", including "social butterfly" & "all-American girl", by style, or by trend - with pieces to impress every lady on your list, for any budget. My favorite include this necklace, & this gorgeous pair of earrings! Shop on to get the necklace from my most recently teacher style outfit.

Are you a buy gifts all year, or wait till the end type of person? Who is the toughest person on your list?

{shop these exact pieces + other similar favorites}

sweater: Chicwish tunic length cable knit sweater

necklace: "Golden Gathering" necklace c/o 7 Charming Sisters (only $27!)

pants: J.Crew Factory "Lexi" cropped trousers - available in 4 colors, and both regular & petite sizes for under $65

shoes: J.Crew Factory leather ballet flats - currently on sale with code BUNDLEUP (I have my eye on the "warm beige" color!)

purse: Vera Bradley leather/calf hair purse

watch: Fossil square face watch

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

fri-YAY

{shop these exact pieces}

shirt: J.Crew Factory "FRIDAY" tee

sweater: Chicwish cable knit cardigan (sold out in green, but still available in a on trend mustard color)

jeans: Nordstrom distressed denim - only $65!

shoes: Hushpuppies 'Cyra Catelyn' Chukka Boot

scarf: Nordstrom plaid scarf - my favorite scarf of the season, & a total steal at $22!

sunglasses: ASOS tortoise mirrored sunglasses 

watch: Fossil leather strap, square face watch

blanket: puffy blanket c/o Rumpl

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

It's the freaking weekend & I am so excited to spend a weekend curled up in our new house, on our new couch, but maybe a backyard picnic is in order too!

Denver mornings are starting to get a nip in the air, & I hear the snow on the mountains is already looking pretty good too! I love this snuggly sweater + giving-me-all-the-Fall-feels scarf have been heavy repeats in my outfits lately - such great prices too!

I was also recently introduced to the brand rumpl & my puffy blanket has been going everywhere with us. I love how light & packable it is + it is such a nice warm place to chill. To have to scroll down to see the amazing print - totally tricks the eye!

What are your Fall life hacks? How about a puffy blanket PONCHO!? rumpl just launched their kickstarter campaign - your dream can come true! Would you rock it?

to the point

For Halloween this year, I am excited to sit on my couch & wait for cute kids in costumes to come knock on our door (while snacking on candy of course!). As first time homeowners, I am probably more excited about the little kids, we never got a chance to have trick-or-treaters in our previous apartments!

Are you dressing up? What are you going to be? Give me some good ideas so I can buy things on after-Halloween sale! 

{shop these exact pieces}

sweater: Nordstrom wrap ballerina sweater (exact wrap sweater style is no longer available, but I might love this one from J.Crew Factory even more!)

pants: J.Crew Factory polka dot knit pants (this style comes in lots of solids + seasonal prints, loving the floral print that is available now!)

Old Navy also has an affordable style called the "Pixie" that is very similar & I have heard nothing about great things about them! Shop them in solids + fun prints!

shoes: Tieks (all day on my feet teacher APPROVED!)

sunglasses: old from ASOS (similar)

lipstick: Nars "heat wave"

necklace: old from J.Crew (from when I was a frog scientist!)

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

what i will do for donuts

When you are a one car family, a girl has sometimes got to get creative when a donut craving kicks in! I partnered with car2go + Localeur to share 3 of my favorite Denver spots & first up is Voodoo Doughnut! You might know them for their crazy flavors (Bacon Maple!? Voodoo Doll Doughnut!?), & yes they have plenty of wild ones, but also serve up lots of other eye catching + yummy options too! Find Voodoo in the middle of Colfax Ave, nearby other favorites like Illegal Petes + many vinyl shops & dive bars to round out a perfectly hipster afternoon - if it isn't on Insta, it didn't happen!

If you haven't downloaded the Localeur app yet, you are missing out! I use Localeur when I travel to a new city to find local spots, specially recommended by verified locals. Heck, I use it here in Denver too as I am still learning about all of the hidden gems of the Mile High City. I used to contribute to the Nashville Localeur page, & know that all contributors take great joy in sharing local spots to fellow locals and visitors alike so that you can truly experience a city like you live there!

I have just recently discovered the magic that is car2go. They have a fleet of Mercedes Benz sedans & SUVs that are super luxurious + easy to use! I guess I expected ride sharing to be a little grimy + a lot of hassle, but all of my car2go experiences have been exactly the opposite! Our favorite neighborhood, RiNo, always has lots of car2go cars parked within walking distance, & I feel quite a bit like James Bond walking up to a car and letting myself in.

This outfit was perfect for a recently sunny Fall day here in Denver - I might sound like a broken record, but let me proceed to explain how everyone of these items is my FAVORITE!

I have a hard time dropping $88 for a single shirt, but I am trying to retrain myself to live by my "fewer, better things" motto. This shirt is amazing - from the bell sleeve details, to the flirty lip print, + optional neck button - that I don't feel guilty wearing it on repeat. This blouse was spot on for a recent blogger brunch (with velvet heels!), under my puffer vest for an afternoon of watching football at a sports bar, & with distressed jeans for boutique hopping on a lazy Sunday. 

While I might be a reluctant trend trier, one trend I have jumped on HARD is distressed denim, & now I am adding a high/low hem to my jeans & feeling like I am so LIT... are we still using LIT? These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch, the light wash is refreshing & they work great for petites!

When it comes to Fall accessories, I am currently all about a bold purse and understated jewelry. This Fossil hobo bag comes in 4 perfect for fall shades, but I'm a little biased and think my cranberry color is the best! Looking to add extra storage to your larger purses? I swear by these Mulberry & Grand canvas pouches. I have the unicorn one, but might have to also pick up this SASSY one! I've had my M monogram necklace since I took my man's last name almost 4 years ago, but scooped up this minimalist monogram style necklace for a few girlfriends on my Christmas list already, like the good little elf that I try to be.

{shop these exact pieces}

top: J.Crew lip print blouse

pants: Nordstrom distressed denim (under $60!)

shoes: Nisolo slides (forever favorites along with their Serena sandal - both now on sale!)

Shop all Nisolo products (their leather goods make sure to please presents!) with my referral link & you get $25 off your purchase (+ I get $25!)

bag: Fossil leather hobo (this cranberry color is perfect for Fall, but this bag is available in several other gorgeous shades!)

necklace: old monogram necklace - I'm love this minimalistic monogram style for Christmas gifts!

pouch: Mulberry & Grand unicorn canvas pouch 

lipstick: Nars "heat wave"

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

transition

After peeking at the 15 day forecast for Denver last night, I think tomorrow is our last chance for temps in the 80s for a while. I LOVE Fall, & one of my favorite parts is that it keeps you guessing about what to wear. Some days you get to squeeze out one more appearance in your favorite maxi dress, & the next you are bundled up eyelashes to ankles in knits + layers. What can I say, I like variety!

I know this might seem silly, but before I moved from Nashville to Denver, I was really naive about seasons in other parts of the country. I had always lived in the South, & it was my understanding that Summer basically continued straight through to Thanksgiving, with a day or two of crisp evenings to break up the sweaty, humid block of April - November. I could write a whole post about the pros of moving away from where you grew up, but I digress...

I love this dress because it lets me frolic in in the sun like Summer never ended, but the moody dark florals remind everyone that I'm not crazy, I understand that it's about to get real chilly & is indeed nearing the end of October... am I the only one that picks out clothing based on what will make me look least crazy to strangers, while still embracing my fully wacky personality?

Since Tyler and I knew we were moving out of our first Denver neighborhood - River North Arts District or RiNo for those in the know - we spent our last few weekends there making sure we had explored every nook and cranny! This outfit was perfect for stopping by the cute boutiques (no wasteful plastic bags for me, I've got my own giant one!), hitting up a few of the yummy breweries, & strolling down alleys to find new murals. If you have a visit to Denver on your list, make sure you hit up Larimer Street in the RiNo area - there is a bit of construction going on, but don't be deterred, there are many hidden spots waiting to be discovered!

What are your best tips for transitional dressing? Just go with what you love, embrace the season, or dress for the weather?

dress: Nordstrom lace-up, flutter sleeve maxi dress

bag: Sole Society oversized shopper tote

shoes: fsj black suede sandals

watch: Fossil leather strap watch

All Photos | Walnut Street Photography

{shop these exact pieces + other favorites}