Day 22: Black Friday

Is this outfit "blog" worthy? Totally not, but I got dressed today, actually changed out of my PJs on this rare day off, 

and I want someone to know about it

Ty, Doug and I drove from Nashville, TN down to Arkansas yesterday (no traffic, yea!), and are eating a Thanksgiving meal both today and tomorrow - stretchy pants carry me home!

{ What I Wore: Everlane tee // Gap cords // Old Navy ballet flats }

 Are you Wonder Women hitting up the Black Friday sales? 

I am so not someone to get up at that hour to fend off other women for a $2 sweater... No. Thank. You.

I will be happily clicking away for Christmas present deals on Cyber Monday.

FYI: For any other Cyber Monday shoppers, I will be sharing the best deals I have found starting Sunday at midnight... be sure to check back in!

Ok, now onto the serious matter at hand, best ideas for Turkey left-overs?....Annnnd go...

P.S. I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies: Black Friday

Check out the other deal loving fashionistas { here }

Day 16: Autumn Mix & a giveaway

Good morning ladies!
I have a bunch of great stuff to share with you today, so put on your big girl panties, & let's roll

{1} Half way in to my 30X30 Challenge & I am totally cheating! This jean jacket isn't part of my 30 items, but I wanted to recreate this look. In the J.Crew lookbook it just looked so darn perfect with the classic jean jacket that I couldn't help myself! Please forgive me! (**Don't worry, I took these photos last weekend when it was 75 outside, but I would definitely have to put on some opaque tights today!)

{ What I Wore: Gap jean jacket // Urban Outfitters plaid shirt // J.Crew skirt // Old Navy ballet flats // Estarer jewelry (won in a giveaway from Always Maylee) }

{ Get the Look }

jean jacket {$28.90} + plaid shirt {$19.80}+ floral skirt {$12.80} + black ballet flats {$19.94}

{2} The newly settled in cold weather here in Nashville, is leaving me looking for a fun new cocktail to keep me warm at night, & enjoy with friends. This "new fashioned" cocktail looks to just fit the bill!

{via}

Day 9: bonfire bash

{ What I Wore: J.Crew sweater & skirt // Steve Madden boots }

{ Get the look }

felted wool mini skirt {$79.50} + ribbed v-neck sweater {$39.99} + patterned scarf  {$32.00}+ over the knee black suede boots {$44.50}

I can't make up my mind... I grow my hair out, then I don't want to bother to fix it. 

I cut my hair short, and I dream of it being long again.

Ultimately, I prefer my hair long - it is like my security blanket

but, the boy likes my hair short { see my hair the shortest it has been on the blog here }

So before I do something drastic that I regret, I have decided to start actually fixing my hair... novel concept over here!

Day 2: sweater season

{ What I wore: J.Crew sweater // Etsy bubble necklace // OldNavy rockstar skinny jeans // H&M clutch // ShoeDazzle flats // Target sunnies }

{ Get the Look }

pink sweater {$39.50} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + bubble necklace {$34.00} + pink clutch {$19.99} + captoe flats {$49.00} + classic sunnies {$16.99}

Day 2 of my Fall 30X30 Challenge... and the weather is cha cha cha changing!
Is it sweater weather where you are yet?

Blogiversary!

{original image via}

It's my 1st birthday y'all!

I simply CANNOT believe that I hit the "publish" button on this little guy 1 year ago today.

Since then I have published 400+ posts, met many blogger friends that I am convinced are my long lost sisters, learned more about my ever evolving style choices, and somehow convinced a few of you to follow along while I was at it.

Seriously though, this blog is my after hours hobby, and it brings me SUCH joy to come home and read your sweet comments, and cook up new content for the next day. How you haven't gotten tired of pictures of me or my pug yet is BE-yond me!

To thank you for being a part of the Here&Now community and celebrate 1 year of blogging, I have a little giveaway for you beautiful people

I love displaying fashion/style books around my house, and especially enjoy the books recently put out by some of the amazing bloggers I have "met" though the interwebs over the past few years.

5 of my favorite books written by bloggers (that I would like to give to you to enjoy!) are I Spy DIY Style, What I Wore, Cupcakes and Cashmere, The One Hundred, and The Sartorialist.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my slice of the internet, and I can't wait to bring you even more great stuff in the very near future and over the years to come!

Cheers!!

P.S. I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for her 100th Friday's Fancies... head on over { there } to continue the milestone celebration party!

Costume Couture

Looking for some DIY Halloween costume inspiration? 

Check out the round up that Julia over at A Cup of Tea put together { here }

Do you get into Halloween? 

Any of you making your own costumes?

What are you fabulous ladies going to be!?

P.S. I am also linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies.... see more costume ideas { here }

school's in session

Oh for the love of back to school shopping... I always wanted to have the shopping part without the going back to homework and tests part... a girl can dream, huh?
But there is a reason that the September issue is the largest for Vogue, women love the fresh start that Fall fashions offer... the new season, blank slate, possibility of layers type of shopping extravaganza that just isn't the case at any other time of year

{ What I Wore: Topshop peplum top // Old Navy jersey pencil skirt // Steve Madden nude heels // boutique necklace }

I might not be a "traditional" student anymore, but that doesn't stop me from a little back to school shopping or first-day-of-school outfit picking outing!

dog days of summer

{ What I Wore: Armani Exchange halter top // J.Crew white denim // Steve Madden sandals // Spike the Punch necklace // Matt & Nat purse }

Get the Look

halter {$11.50} + white denim {Designer $120 // Discount $32} + bow sandals {$30} + white purse {Designer $95 // Discount $49.99 } + punchy accents {necklace $10 // bracelet $12 // ring $10}

A little birdie told me that tomorrow is September... and I am trying my hardest to ignore it! Where did my August go?! (I am a little extra attached to this month because it is MY birthday month... and yes, I do claim and celebrate all 31 days!)

Getting the most of my summer favorite: white jeans, bright jewels, melon lips, gauzy tops

like it, love it

So I liked my J.Crew crewcuts vest, but I love my Old Navy safari vest. This guy is a game changer.

Bianca: There's a difference between like and love. Because, I like my Skechers, but I love my Prada backpack.

Chastity: But I love my Skechers.

Bianca: That's because you don't have a Prada backpack.

(name that movie and I will LOVE you forever!)

{What I Wore: Old Navy vest // H&M lace shift // Nine West wedges // J.Crew men's belt }

Get the Look

utility vest {$28) + lace shift {$75} + leather belt {$35} + brown wedges {splurge {$80} // save {$30}}

summer treat: backyard wedding

I am so excited to be joining Ty to his home state of Oregon for one of his long time friend's wedding in August. The affair is an evening ceremony in the groom's backyard... and I have no clue what to wear. 

6 weddings in one year mean that shelling out for an expensive wedding guest outfit just isn't an option! After consulting my favorite site for fabulous dress on my budget, Rent the Runway, I have narrowed down the choices to 3: girlie chic, modern hip, and classic sleek. Which one is your favorite?

{ Girlie Chic: Dress // Earrings // Ring // Clutch // Wedges }

A standout colored lace dress calls for understated neutral accessories

bohemian summer

{What I Wore: maxi dress c/o eShakti {now on sale for under $40} // Steve Madden bow flats // boutique heart necklace }

When I saw the braided back and detailed embroidery on this breezy maxi dress, I knew that it was meant to be hanging in my closet!

{Other adorable eShakti maxi dresses here, here & here}

friday's fancies: wedding guest

My lovely sister got married almost 6 (!!!) years ago and chose me to be her MOH. Lucky for me and her other bridesmaids, the outfit she chose for us to wear, didn't completely suck (thanks sis!) 

(side note: seriously, how did people even plan weddings before Pinterest... no. thank. you!)

So today, I am linking up over on Long Distance Loving's Friday's Fancies theme of "Wedding Guest", but instead of showing you what to wear to a wedding, I am dealing out pointers of what to do with that bridesmaids get up after the ordeal is over!

friday's fancies: stars&stripes

Annnd we made it! In a week that felt like there were two Mondays, I am so ready for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, I certainly squeezed some fun out of this week, and have been rocking my red, white & blue for most of it!

Today, I am linking up with Friday's Fancies over on Long Distance Loving to go out with a bang on my week of patriotic theme dressing. 

friday's fancies: beachy chic

Um... I know you don't want to hear about the weather anymore... but these 100 ˚F+ temps are pretty much ruling my life right now....

So instead of talking about the weather, I am pretending I am at the beach (I mean... why not!?)

friday's fancies: block party

Hey boyfriend, I'm ready for date night!

When the weather heats up (hello Summer!) you can find me eating al fresco, enjoying the great natural outdoors, and after all that, soaking up the powerful AC the South is famous for (Summer means that I have to take a sweater to any restaurant/theater because the AC be pumpin')

This weekend I plan to enjoy some red wine and patio time with the boy, and go hiking with the girls to a waterfall (good thing I am getting better with my camera!)

Color-blocking is fresh and fun for Summer. Today I am rocking my color block and linking up with Friday's Fancies over on Long Distance Loving. Check out the rest of the block party {here}

{ What I wore: Splendid top // Fred Flare scalloped skirt (very similar skirt, for a steal!) // Payless wedges (love these LOOK at me wedges)  // BaubleBar necklace // Target hat (great picks here, here & here) }

Scalloped skirt that looks like a cake, ridiculous hat, and a cuddly pug... I am a happy girl!

Happy weekend ya'll!

What do you have planned? Any color-blocking in the forecast?

xx

Jessica

friday's fancies: outfit crush

Have you seen Blair from Atlantic-Pacific in this gorgeous Tibi dress? I have a huge blogger crush on her and this dress is just amaze right?!

At $675, despite how fabulous the dress might be, I have to come to terms that it is never going to be in my life. But this Old Navy option is in the same "style" - color blocked bright colors, silky, flowy, great shape, and was on sale for $30! Not. Too. Shabby.

Today I am liking up with Friday's Fancies over on Long Distance Loving showing off how I am rocking my outfit crush. Check out the other crushes { here }

I think this dress will see some great action in my summer wardrobe - from an upcoming Bachelorette party on the Florida coast, backyard cook outs, and friends' wedding festivities...

You know how I like to twirl!

xx

Jessica

friday's fancies: who wears short shorts

Good morning! Today is my final installment in how wardrobe staples can give a long life to the fun, trendy residents in your closet. The silk blouse is close to my heart... this week I am pairing it with the (faux)leather shorts that I finally scored (on the CHEAP from Arden B.), but I know that I will continue to wear it with classic pencil skirts, and trendy bottoms for years to come!

I am linking up with Friday's Fancies over on Long Distance Loving and showing off my short shorts!

These new (faux) leather shorts are so sassy, and totally worth the little bit of cheek sweet when worn on warmer days! (TMI?! thought so!)

{ What I wore: Arden B leather shorts (great, cheap pair from Forever 21, and these high waisted ones are fabulous!) // J.Crew silk blouse // Nine West leather sandals (love these & these) }

Check out all of the other ladies who wear short shorts here!

TGIF

xx

Jessica

P.S. I will be back tomorrow telling you about what I would rather be doing this weekend...

friday's fancies: safari chic

Yes, neon is fitting for warm days, but when I think hot, I think of white hot...

Bright colors are fun, but celebrity fashions are trending toward more neutral palettes for Summer/Fall... and I am jumping on board!

Taking my own advice to be a bigger part of the blogging community, I am linking up with Friday's Fancies over at Long Distance Loving, and rocking my white! I wasn't afraid to work white prior to Memorial Day (here & here), but now just try and hold me back! Today, I am channeling Jessica Alba and her safari chic neutrals (see bottom picture)

{ What I wore: J.Crew hat (similar), shorts (similar), sandals (love these jellies) // Forever 21 tunic (basic white shirt you will live in!) }

Safari Chic Necessities:

Panama Hat // Light Scarf // Neutral Bag (lust list) // Light Pants // Nude Heels

Looking for more "white" items... look here for affordable options!

{via}

Have you rocked your white yet this year? 

Thinking about bringing out the whites this weekend?
Check out the rest of the Friday's Fancies links here for some inspiration!
xx

Jessica