Fall Back

What's worse than a fashion blogger talking about the weather?
A fashion blogger complaining about other people's weather related rants & then launching into her own. Yup, that's about to happen!

{ What I Wore: Sweater + necklace + bracelets c/o Fringe & Lace // J.Crew olive skinnies + chambray top // Old Navy booties // Philip Lim x Target satchel }

We are 6 days into November & Tennessee has so far gifted us 80 degree days & 30 degree nights. To say that I have a hard time getting dressed (in the dark) in the mornings is an under statement.

Right now things that look like clothes but feel like pajamas are on the top of my list (AKA pile of clothes on the ground).

Not only did I reveal in coziness in this sweater over the weekend, I styled up an outfit for you office-dweling folks as well! Check out the office appropriate style post on the Fringe & Lace blog & let me know: 

would you rather rock this sweater for work or for play?

working 9 to 6

Here's the deal, I'm a full time graduate student. I work 9-6 (on a good day), on weekdays & weekends. Despite the long hours & the fact that I never really stop thinking about my experiments when I get home, the most incompatible part of my work habits & online hobby is the dress code. Because I work in a research lab I have to abide by the strict dress code, I have to cover my legs, wear closed-toe flats, avoid loose layers that could catch fire/drag through chemicals & generally dress conservatively.

{ What I Wore: tank c/o Skip N' Whistle // J.Crew skinny cargo jeans // Converse sneakers // Anthropologie sunglasses }

Most of the outfits that I show you are the ones that I wear after 6, on the weekends & while traveling. I'm not trying to hide anything from you, but these are just the outfits I get to flex my fashion muscles more in, where I get to practice more stylistic freedom, and really explore my own aesthetic.

I honestly want to try to incorporate more of my work appropriate attire here on the blog. I know I have an unconventional work environment, but I hope that you ladies like this new type of outfit posts.

I must say, buttery soft tanks like this adorable anchor print skip n' whistle number make my pre-coffee weekday dressing so much easier!

What dress code hoops do you have to jump through for your chosen profession?

Told You So & A Giveaway

{ What I Wore: J.Crew linen baseball sweater + cargo skinnies // Madewell leopard skimmers // Lisa Leonard key necklace // Wallis purse }

{ Get the Look }

baseball sweater {steal // splurge} + cargo skinnies {$39.99} + leopard flats {steal // save // splurge} + necklace {$39} + purse {$32}

I said I was going to focus more on neutrals & that I loved this sweater (proof here).

So this outfit is a bit of an "I told you so".

Yes, sometimes it is MUY difficult to resist impulse shopping, but when I look into my closet & see only the things I absolutely LOVE, it makes all the shopping FOMO disappear!

Eyes. On. The. Prize.

Phew, it's Friday, we made it!

And I am overjoyed to share a fabulous giveaway from one of Here&Now's generous sponsors, Gemmy Junky!

Founded on the "passion for playing dress-up", Gemmy Junky is a fabulous & affordable online jewelry shop, think of it like your personal digital dream jewelry box! Not only are the baubles beautiful, they offer free shipping on all domestic orders & are headquartered deep in the heart of Texas (Houston to be exact)

The "Gem on the Rocks" necklace was released on their site this week (hot off the presses) & one of you is going to walk away with this stunner around your pretty little neck!

Please enter below & come back to this post next Friday to see if you won!

TGIF!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. I'm linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies today. See more weekend chic looks here.

in the mean time

Oh hey there... excuse me while I unpack and re-locate all of my clothes. I swear I packed in some sort of organized fashion, but now unpacking is proving to be a difficult task. And yes, I did only move across the street - not even to a new town, or a different part of town... just a couple of streets over!

Hopefully the dust will settle soon!

In the mean time, I might be wearing whatever comes out of the boxes first... should be interesting!

Can't wait to make the new place feel like "home"

{ Urban Outfitters top (love this one) // J.Crew Cargo Pants (similar) // Nine West Sandals (similar) } 

 xx

Jessica

work it wednesday: cargo pants

Happy Hump Day! I had so much fun checking out all of the Work it Wednesday posts last time, that I wanted to participate again!

This Fall/Winter (I don't know if Winter ever really came to Nashville), my J.Crew skinny cargo pants have been getting quite the workout. They are easy enough to throw on with one of my StyleMint tee's for a casual day time look, but can also transition to a dressed up night look with the addition of strategically placed faux fur. AND, I picked these babies up on the J.Crew clearance rack at the end of the summer, so I am pretty sure their cost/wear is somewhere around 5¢ by now! Loves it!

{rocker cargo / pants fancy cargo Pants / glam cargo pants}

What are you working this winter?

Check out this week's Work it Wednesday submissions here

xx

Jessica

fancy pants

Happy Hump Day!

Ok - so I am in love with my new camera, but oh boy, he is a tough cookie! My photographer (le boyfriend) and I are working on figuring out Mr. Camera... but in the mean time, things might be a little  off. For example, why are these pictures so grainy!?... it has been overcast lately (haven't seen the sun in days!), but Mr. Camera promises that he is better than some silly little cloud coverage... hmm... back to the owner's manual. I actually am considering buying the Canon EOS Rebel T2i for Dummies, so if you have any tips that were game changers for you and your first DSLR or experiences with Mr. Canon T2i hook me up!

Blythe Blouse (similar) & Skinny Cargos (similar) - J.Crew
Shoes - Vince Camuto
Purse - Garage Sale find
Sunnies - Shop Suey

My photographer has decided that the continuous shooting mode is trés fun! I may have to show some of the bloopers that this continuous shooting spree results in!

Remember even if it is the middle of winter, you haven't seen the sun in days, and all you want to do it crawl back under the covers... putting on a girlie blouse & heels and tackling chores on a Saturday isn't a bad option either!

xx

Jessica

P.S. check out this outfit and many others that bloggers posted for "What I Wore Wednesday" over at The Pleated Poppy

light show

Seeing the local botanical gardens, Garvan Gardens, lit up for the Holidays is one of my family's favorite traditions... and one that I am so happy to share with Ty for the 2nd time.

The lights turn on for Thanksgiving, and we always visit either when we are all together in November or December. Some things are the same every year, but we enjoy spotting new exhibits along the way. 

Something about the sparkling lights and chill in the air turns a switch in my brain to say IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME!

Walking through the tunnel of lights!

Dad + his girls

so romantic!
cargo pants+floaty white blouse+ fur!

with an edge

Jacket - Plato's Closet
Shirt - StyleMint
Pants - J.Crew
Shoes - Charlotte Russe

It has been a while since my last bowling outing (maybe since last year's annual family Thanksgiving bowling showdown), but let's be honest, I was never great in the first place. A good day of bowling for me is breaking 100... but I got lucky this time around, and broke 100 and got 3 strikes in a row (Turkey!) Maybe I will actually make a run for this year's family championship over Thanksgiving. Ha!

(P.S how sad is it that I was sore for 2 days after bowling... who knew it was such a workout!?)

 Ready for action; Strike!; Spare!

use it up, wear it out...

I recently heard a quote that has changed the way I look at things:

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without". 

As silly as it sounds, the first place I thought to apply this, was to my closet! I always am wanting to add a piece of clothing that is the latest trend, or just because I "want" it, not because I actually "need" it. I don't actually NEED anymore clothing, nor am I going to stop buying clothing, I just want to make a conscious effort to buy quality, classic, versatile pieces that will suit my overall aesthetic, work with a lot of things in my closet and go the long haul with me as I transition from grad school to real life. My most recent purchases have been a black cable knit sweater, and a black shirt with crochet details, so when I recently traveled to Chicago for a long weekend, I wanted to see how these two pieces could fit into my wardrobe. I focused on outfits for the weekend around a black, olive, and pink color scheme. 

I narrowed down what I needed to pack to these items:

Bottoms: Pink skirt, skinny olive cargos, skinny dark jeans
Tops: black cable knit sweater, black crochet top, white tank, chambray button down, red shirt (for the Razorback game!)
Outerwear: Olive Coat, Khaki Jacket
Shoes: black ballet flats, black heels, khaki wedge booties
Accessories: Pink scarf, blue scarf, gold watch, gold cross-body bag, gold chain necklace, gold armadillo belt

On the day of departure (Thursday), I wore a comfortable outfit for the 8 hour car ride. At the base, is the black crochet shirt, and also my favorite skinny cargos (J. Crew)

When we went sight-seeing around town (Friday), I wore the black crochet top, and lots of layers (chambray shirt, pink scarf, olive coat) to protect from the downtown winds! And my comfortable khaki wedge booties (best $15 spent!) for walking all over!

 On the night (Saturday) of our 2nd Halloween celebration (after being Jessica Rabbit), I paired the black cable sweater with pink ruffled skirt,  black heels, and my panda hat!
More Chicago pictures and details to come...