humanity

It is crazy that I am now 1 year post graduate school. And that in the past year I have become a "teacher". I put that word into quotes because some days I still feel like I am playing pretend. However, teaching really does feel like my calling, & after a week of straight rest (thank you Nashville ice storm), I am ready to get back into the trenches & not only teach Science to my squirrelly batch of 7th graders, but to also teach them about love, compassion, & joy. 

Over this past year this quote has really hit home for me:

“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” - Haim G. Ginott

{ What I Wore to teach: J.Crew Factory wrap skirt + Clare cardigan (both now on super sale!) // H&M leopard shell // Vince Camuto booties ℅ Nordstrom Rack // gold tassel necklace (similar) // Kendra Scott arrowhead necklace }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photography

Shop The Look:

How great is that wrap! I love that it is a fun twist to the pencil skirt!

on change

{ What I Wore on a date: (old) H&M tank (similar) // Storets {vegan} leather skirt // Steve Madden heels ℅ Macy's // clutch ℅ Gigi New York }

all photos | Alyssa Torrech Photography

It is funny to look back at the version of myself that moved to Nashville 5 years ago. I was ending a 4 year relationship, moving away from all my college friends, embarking on a crazy journey towards a Ph.D., living in the "big city" after calling small town Arkansas home my whole life, & oh so young! 

5 years has brought change - new friends, new experiences, a degree, different last name, a career change, many moves, the loss of friends (growing older sadly sometimes means growing apart), & 2 adorable pug children.

I hear change when my alarm now goes off at 5am. I see change when I look in my closet & the pencils skirts have replaced the comfy blue jeans at the front of my wardrobe. I feel change when I come home from work after a 12 hour day of teaching & have never felt more fulfilled. I smell change when my husband cooks dinner, as we both adjust to the new life that is ours (he's shaping up to be pretty skilled in the kitchen!). I taste change when my Friday nights are more like ice cream and a movie on the couch rather than beer and honky tonks downtown.

Change is good. Change is hard. Change is refreshing. Change is the only thing we can grow to count on in this life.

I am so thankful to be surrounded by friends and family that embrace, support, love, and comfort during the many changes and stages in my life.

And just so you know, 26 going on 27 year old Jessica can totally still rock this skirt like 22 year old Jessica once did! Age is just a number right!? (less than 2 months till my 27th birthday and it's making me all sentimental!)

*Except this time, I'm headed out to dinner with my husband instead of dancing on bars with the ladies. Yup, things have changed.

How are things changing in your life? Any profound reflections on how the past 5 years have looked?

P.S. Change up your Summer wardrobe with the J.Crew gift card giveaway going on now. Enter to win here!

tell me what you want, what you really, really want

{ What I Wore : H&M leopard tank // Citizens of Humanity boyfriend jeans // Zara glitter heels }

Get the Look

leopard tank + boyfriend jeans + glitter ankle strap heels

a lady in the making

Don't get me wrong, I love me some statement/costume jewelry... but as I work towards refining my wardrobe with classics, I am inspired to find "grown-up" jewelry that is fitting for a lady (as well as a casual graduate student). I am not one to pile on jewelry, so if I am wearing any items, it is because I absolutely love the piece!

The Matchbook Magazine 50 classics guide claims that a timeless wardrobe would include: 

Diamond Studs

Pearl Studs

Pearl Necklace

Signet Ring

Watch

•  I have pearl studs given to me by my sister when I was her Maid of Honor
• I wear the heck out of my freshwater pearl necklace that I feel is a fresh take on the classic, although one day I would love to have an opera length saltwater pearl necklace
• I think signet rings are darling, and have my eye out for one, but I really love the rings I have received as hand-me-downs from family (my diamond & emerald one is particularly special!)
• Last year, after passing a major milestone in my graduate school career, I purchased myself a classic Michael Kors gold watch... and plan on having it for forever!

Recently, I received these gorgeous six prong diamond stud earrings in a classic 1 caret setting from Anjolee Jewelry... and totally rounded out my lady-like jewelry box. Anjolee Designs are great for a particular jewelry wearer like my self, because you can customize both tennis bracelets and diamond earrings based on stone size, setting, and metals... so much fun!

{What I wore: J.Crew white denim pants (looking for a skinny pair this summer) & sweater // H&M leopard tank  (similar) // (old) Ann Taylor wedges (love this pair) // diamond stud earrings courtesy of Anjolee Jewelry // Michael Kors watch // Diament Designs bracelet // family heirloom ring }

What jewelry do you wear everyday?

Planning on purchasing any "grown-up" pieces from the Classics List?

I can't wait to pair my grown-up jewelry pieces with my in-the-works friendship bracelets and fun, colorful summer bangles... 

xx

Jessica

to the max

Hey hey... it's Jessica here, late on the trend and kicking myself... again.

Maxi skirts... best thing ever... why am I just figuring this out!?

When I received my summer reward card from J.Crew, I knew that I wanted to try something new, and this swath of fabric caught my eye immediately. Despite being floor length, I find this style of skirt to be flattering, camouflaging and helps to keep the heat out and cool in. Being "petite" isn't even going to stop me from rocking this look all summer long... I'll just keep pretending I am 5'8"... same old same old

{ What I wore: J.Crew maxi skirt // Steve Maden bow flats (love these) // H&M clutch & tank (similar) }

Gotta get a shot of the cute flats, but I can't wait to wear my new love with heels too!

Have you jumped into the maxi skirt trend yet?
How do you wear yours? I am still experimenting and would love some more ideas!
xx

Jessica